Oral Health Knowledge Gaps and Their Impact on the Role of Pediatricians: A Multicentric Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the current level of pediatricians to promote oral health. In particular, the study sought to determine whether years of experience were associated with the dentistry knowledge of pediatricians. Materials and Methods: Online recruitment was used to obtain a sample of pediatricians from the United States of America, Greece, and Saudi Arabia. These three countries are the participants in this research project. The participants completed an anonymous, online, self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire is available upon request. The differences in responses to knowledge questions, attitude questions, and solution questions were examined with respect to years of experience. Poisson regression models were used to examine whether these differences were statistically significant. Results: A total of 313 pediatricians participated in the study. The study found moderate levels of dental knowledge among pediatricians. A total of 53.4% reported that they had adequate knowledge to make the right recommendations on oral health for patients and parents. Compared to the participants in a residency program, the participants with 5 to 10 years of experience were over 2.72 times as likely to report adequate knowledge, and participants with 10 years of experience or more were nearly 1.98 times as likely to report adequate knowledge. There was a significant association between dentistry knowledge questions and attitude. Conclusion: The current level of influence of pediatricians in promoting pediatric oral health is limited to moderate. The gaps in oral health knowledge remain an issue, even among a broad sample of pediatricians from Greece, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, particularly pediatricians with less work experience.