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J Dent Educ. 70(5): 511-517 2006
© 2006 American Dental Education Association
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Critical Issues in Dental Education

Dental and Medical Students’ Knowledge and Opinions of Infant Oral Health

Mina H. Chung, D.D.S., M.S.; Linda M. Kaste, D.D.S., Ph.D.; Anne Koerber, D.D.S., Ph.D.; Shahrbanoo Fadavi, D.D.S., M.S.; Indru Punwani, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Key words: dental care for children, dental education, dental students, infant care, medical education, medical students, tooth eruption

Submitted for publication 01/05/06; accepted 02/08/06

Primary care providers’ involvement with and perceptions of the epidemic of early childhood caries could be related to attitudes and knowledge of the disease as well as to differences in discipline-based recommendations. A cross-sectional survey of demographics, opinions on infant oral health care visits and importance of infant oral health care, knowledge of tooth eruption, and knowledge of health care guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) was administered by several methods to first- and fourth-year dental and medical students at two University of Illinois campuses. Some expected variations were found among dental and medical students pertaining to perceptions and knowledge of infant oral health. Higher proportions of dental students responded correctly or considered the issues very important. However, Rockford medicine students were more likely to know when children should be weaned, yet less likely to agree with recommendations for time of first dental visit. Furthermore, fourth-year dental students were less likely than first-year dental students to give the recommended answer for age of first dental visit. Variances of opinions and basic knowledge of infant oral health of dental and medical students showed inconsistencies with desired outcomes of educational and clinical experiences. Further research is needed to understand the role of experience and other factors to effectively educate primary care providers in this area.






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