Citation: Birva Patel et al. “Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Pediatricians regarding Rampant Caries”. Sch J Dent Sci, 2021 Jan 8(1): 58-62. 58 Scholars Journal of Dental Sciences Abbreviated Key Title: Sch J Dent Sci ISSN 2394-4951 (Print) | ISSN 2394-496X (Online) Journal homepage: https://saspublishers.com “Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Pediatricians regarding Rampant Caries” Dr. Birva Patel. MDS 1 , Dr. Bhumi Sarvaiya. MDS 2 , Dr. Tarulatha R Shyagali. MDS, DCE, DNHE, PhD 3* , Dr. Deepak P Bhayya. MDS, PhD, DNHE 4 , Dr. Jay Soni. MDS 5 , Dr. Hinal Thakkar, MDS 6 1 Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad India 2 Reader, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad India 3 Professor and Head, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Hitkarini Dental College and Hospital, Jabalpur, MP, India 4 Professor and Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Hitkarini Dental College and Hospital, Jabalpur, MP, India 5 Reader, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad 6 Private Practitioner, Porbander, Gujarat India DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2021.v08i01.009 | Received: 10.01.2021 | Accepted: 21.01.2021 | Published: 26.01.2021 *Corresponding author: Dr. Tarulatha R Shyagali. MDS, DCE, DNHE, PhD Abstract Original Research Article The study was aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and awareness of pediatricians in Ahmedabad city regarding rampant caries. A cross sectional survey was undertaken among 70 pediatricians of Ahmedabad city. A self- administered questionnaire was personally handed over to all the pediatricians and collected on the same day. It comprised a series of questions pertaining to personal and demographic characteristics, knowledge regarding the risk factors/etiology, clinical features of rampant caries, attitude towards its prevention and management. The data was collected and statistically analyzed. Around 72.80% of the pediatrician had average knowledge about the rampant caries. Only 11.40% of pediatricians exhibited good attitude towards Rampant caries treatment and referral to dentist and around 10% of the pediatrician had good awareness about the rampant caries. The study revealed that majority of pediatricians did not have sufficient knowledge, attitude and awareness regarding caries. As a health care professional, pediatricians are responsible for the overall health of children. Knowledge regarding rampant caries is important for pediatricians so that they could early diagnose and refer these patients to the pedodontist in order to avoid further spread of the disease and prevent its future complications. Keywords: Rampant caries, knowledge, awareness, pediatricians. Copyright © 2021 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original author and source are credited. INTRODUCTION Rampant caries has been defined by Massler as “a suddenly appearing, widespread, rapid burrowing type of caries, resulting in early involvement of the pulp and affecting those teeth usually regarded as immune to ordinary decay [1].” Its predominant occurrence in young teenagers with a rare predilection for children and adults has been observed. Pre-etiologic factors have been attributed to emotional imbalance leading to excessive craving for sweets and snacks that is quite common in adolescents, reduced salivary flow, and a reduced tooth remineralization response. Although the AAPD calls for every child to have a dental visit by the time the first primary tooth erupts and to have access to preventive dental care throughout childhood, the reality is different, especially for children in low-income families [2]. Pediatricians are the first to observe any dental disease in the child as they are usually approached by the parents for any illness [3]. Many pediatric oral diseases are preventable if pediatrician recognize and encourage preventive care and refer patients to pediatric dentist whenever necessary. Rampant caries is a clinical condition defined by rapidly advancing dental caries on a majority of the teeth affecting children and teenagers. Hence appropriate knowledge of pediatricians regarding rampant caries can lead to early diagnosis, timely referral and proper management of the same. With this has a back ground, current study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and awareness of the pediatricians of Ahmadabad city pertaining to rampant caries.