Relative value of oral health in well-child care: a survey of pediatricians in Texas and Ohio.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, penetration, and support of the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 2003 oral health policy statement among pediatricians and compare the perceived relative value of oral health among health topics.

METHODS: A 33-question survey was sent to 1,320 randomly selected pediatricians in Texas and Ohio. The survey queried practice patterns, perceived importance of oral health, and familiarity/implementation of the AAP policy.

RESULTS: The return rate was 30 percent, with a 23 percent useable response rate; 51 percent of the pediatricians had read the policy, and 74 percent were implementing some component. Overall, 40 percent referred one-year-old infants to a dentist and 29 percent believed it was important. Parental acceptance was identified to be the most common barrier for dental referral by one year of age. Oral health anticipatory guidance ranked fifth at the six- and 12-month office visits but ranked second at the 24-month visit.

CONCLUSION: While three out of four pediatricians were implementing some portion of the AAP's 2003 oral health policy, referral rates and perceived importance of oral health remained low among pediatricians.