Pediatrician’s Role in Children’s Oral Health: An Indiana Survey Marcus R. Ditto, 1 James E. Jones, 1 Brian Sanders, 1 James A. Weddell, 1 Richard Jackson, 2 and Angela Tomlin 1 Abstract Objectives.To evaluate Indiana pediatricians’ current practices related to oral health, knowledge of oral health prevention, and opinions on anticipatory guidance integration into their practices. Background. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) May 2003 policy statement on oral health risk assessment timing and establishment of a dental home has provided pediatricians with guidelines to assess patients’ oral health and caries risk status. Methods. A survey of 31 questions was distributed via mail to all active Indiana pediatricians (300) registered in the Indiana State Medical Association to evaluate current practices relating to oral health prevention and guidance. Results. Of the 300 distributed surveys, 138 were returned (46%).The authors found that 15% of pediatricians recognize the AAP-recommended age for a dental home as 12 months and practice this recommendation. Among the respondents, 7% believe application of fluoride should be part of a well-child visit. The majority (89%) of respondents reported interest in obtaining further knowledge on oral health. Keywords dentistry, pediatrics, pediatrician, oral health care, children, dental caries 1 Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN, USA 2 Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN, USA Corresponding Author: Marcus Ditto, 702 Barnhill Drive, Suite 4205, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA Email: maditto@gmail.com Articles Background Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease among children and has been identified as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children. 1 During the past 50 years, successful intervention has led to a decrease in its prevalence, especially in middle- to high-income areas in the United States. This decline is partly because of the introduction of fluoride into city water and improved access to dental care. 1 Low-income and minority groups continue to receive limited access to oral health care. Children in these circumstances usually present with the highest prevalence of dental disease. Factors involved in limited access of low-income and minority groups are lack of finances, lack of transportation, language and culture barrier, and lack of perceived need of care. 2 Efforts have been made to address financial factors through Medicaid expansion programs aimed at providing early and periodic health care. 2 However, the lack of perceived need for care remains an important issue in terms of dental disease pre- vention and timely treatment. Because parental education does not occur early in the child’s life, many children pres- ent to the dentist with established dental disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recom- mend the first dental visit for children to occur at the eruption of the first tooth (~6 months) or no later than 12 months of age. 3 Although this is the recommendation, little education is given to new parents on the importance of early dental care and establishment of a dental home. The usual initial source for educating parents about general and oral health care is the pediatrician. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a child to visit a pediatri- cian 6 times in the first year of life and 10 times by 3 years of age. 4 Pediatricians have the opportunity to provide care to children 6 times before the recommended visit to a den- tist. These initial visits are of importance in educating Clinical Pediatrics 49(1) 12–19 © The Author(s) 2010 Reprints and permission: http://www. sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0009922809343718 http://clp.sagepub.com