Resumo

Pediatricians' perceptions and procedures regarding promotion of oral health. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.2, pp. 251-257. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective This study assessed pediatricians' perceptions and procedures in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, regarding oral health. Methods A questionnaire was sent to all pediatricians in the city (n = 45) and 24 (53.3%) answered the questionnaire. Results Most participants (58.3%) were females and the mean age of the sample was 44.5 years. All of them reported informing mothers about oral health and 54.2% recommend that a pediatric dentist should be seen before the first year of life, 20.8% between the first and second years of life and 25% after the second year of life. Most pediatricians believe that the baby's mouth should be cleaned with moisturized gauze. One-third (33.3%) of the pediatricians advise the mothers to start oral hygiene at six months of age. Most pediatricians (62.5%) recommend against cariogenic foods, 16.7% recommend they should only be consumed as dessert and 16.7% believe they can be consumed freely. Most pediatricians (70.8%) were against the use of bottles, 20.8% recommended them and 8.3% said that their position depended on the situation. Nearly all pediatricians (91.6%) recommended against the use of pacifiers. Systemic fluoride is not usually prescribed by 83.3% of the pediatricians. Some (16.6%) of the doctors recommend fluorinated toothpaste before the first year of age, 33.3% recommend after the second year of age, 33.3% recommend after the third year of age and 16.7% do not know the best time to start its use. Conclusion Most interviewed pediatricians know how to promote oral health; however, some concepts and conducts need to be reassessed

Palavras-chave : Oral hygiene; Pediatric dentistry; Oral health.