Knowledge of Andalusian paediatricians and parents about early-onset tooth decay

Objectives: To determine the level of knowledge of paediatricians and parents from Andalucia (southern Spain) about early-onset tooth decay, and to assess if paediatricians provide information to parents about paediatric oral care and visits to the paediatric dentist. Materials and methods: A random sample of 113 paediatricians and 112 parents with children under 3 years of age received an anonymous questionnaire comprising 14 items for paediatricians and 16 items for parents, grouped into five blocks: visits to the dentist, oral hygiene, caries, nutritional habits, and treatment of caries. The chi-squared test was used to assess differences between groups. Results: Paediatricians showed deficiencies in their knowledge about visits to the dentist and treatment of caries, however their level of knowledge on oral hygiene, tooth decay and nutritional habits were adequate. Parents showed a low level of knowledge in all aspects of the study, mainly about the treatment of tooth decay. There were no significant differences between paediatricians and parents in the knowledge about visits to the dentist, however paediatricians had more knowledge than the parents about hygiene, tooth decay, nutritional habits and treatment (P < .001). Most of the parents indicated that paediatricians did not provide them detailed information on oral care, and about the possibility of visiting a paediatric dentist. Conclusions: Andalusian paediatricians should improve their knowledge about early-onset tooth decay, and provide more information to parents about the oral care and the possibility of visiting a paediatric dentist. Parents have a very low level of knowledge about early-onset tooth decay, and particularly about treatment. © 2013 Asociacion Espa˜