Oral health care training among graduating pediatric residents

BACKGROUND: There is an oral health care deficit among American children. Some propose that pediatricians be trained to conduct basic oral health assessments. METHODS: A section of the 2006 AAP Graduating Residents Survey focused on oral health. After up to four mailings to 1000 residents, 611 (61%) responded. A 7-item scale (α=.63) of attitudes about pediatricians' roles in oral health assessment tasks was the main dependent variable in a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: 32% received no oral health care training during residency. Of those who did, 75% had <3 hours of training, and only 14% had clinical observation time with a dentist. 71% felt they had too little oral health care training, and many described their assessment skills as being only “fair or poor” on several measures: 59% for identifying enamel demineralization, 42% for identifying plaque, 25% for identifying teeth with cavities, and 22% for informing patients how to brush correctly. Most (52%) are interested in an oral health CME, rising to 64% among those entering general pediatric practice (p<.001). Most also believe that pediatricians should conduct basic oral health assessments. Over 85% thought pediatricians should identify teeth with cavities and inform patients on how to brush correctly. Two-thirds thought they should identify enamel demineralization and plaque. Multiple regression analysis indicated that African-American residents (ß=.991, p=.020) and those applying for jobs in the inner city (ß=.541, p=.016) were especially interested. CONCLUSION: Young pediatricians report substantial interest but little training in oral health assessments.