Abstract

SILVA, Carla da Silva Dias Valente e et al. Pediatricians knowledge about oral Health in Belo Horizonte. What is really necessary to know?. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. [online]. 2014, vol.68, n.2, pp. 126-131. ISSN 0004-5276.

Non-cariogenic diet and oral hygiene as soon as the first tooth erupts may favor the maintenance of good oral health. Because in the first year of the baby's life, the contact with the pediatrician occurs more frequently, the knowledge of 147 public and private sector pediatricians in Belo Horizonte was evaluated. Total of 614 pediatricians enrolled in CFM in Belo Horizonte, 322 were visited, these, 147 agreed to answer one questionnaire. It was observed that the 95,3% of them examines the oral cavity, 24.5% recommends the baby bottle. Regarding suggesting the use or not of pacifier the interviewees were divided. Suggestion for replacement of the maternal milk or need of complementary milk during the first 6 months the child formula was indicated by 93% of the interviewees. The referral to the dentist is often made by one third of the interviewees. The oral hygiene upon being erupts the first tooth was recommended by 8.8% and the use of toothpaste for 59.2%, but the use of fluoride was indicated by 17% of physicians. We can conclude that the knowledge of interviewed pediatricians about the oral health is not in accordance with the guidelines recommended by the ABO-Dentistry, SBP, AAP and AAPD.

Keywords : dental caries; physicians; oral health; knowledge.