Infant oral health examinations: attitudes and professional behavior of general and pediatric dentists in Michigan and pediatric dentists in the U.S.

UNLABELLED Caries in young children in the United States has increased since 1988. Infant oral health examinations (IOHE) provide opportunities to educate parents about preventing caries in young children. The objective is to explore attitudes and behavior concerning IOHE among general and pediatric dentists in Michigan and pediatric dentists in the remaining 49 U.S. states. METHODS Survey data were collected from 137 general and 45 pediatric dentists in Michigan and 2,112 pediatric dentists outside of Michigan. RESULTS General dentists had more negative attitudes towards IOHE than pediatric dentists in Michigan and other U.S. states. Only 41 percent of general dentists vs. 84 percent and 89 percent of pediatric dentists in Michigan and other states performed IOHE (p<.001). While general dentists who performed IOHE had better attitudes towards IOHE than their non-IOHE-performing colleagues, they engaged less in prevention directed activities compared to pediatric dentists. CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to engage increasing numbers of general dentists in a preventive approach to treating young children.