Table 2 Distribution of dentists' responses to case scenario
Case description. An 18 month old child receives a caries risk assessment and screening by a pediatrician and was found to have no dental decay or oral pathology. No behavioral or clinical caries risk factors are reported. Based on your determination of the child's risk assessment above, how should the pediatrician address the child's oral health needs? | All (N = 376) | General dentists who treat infants and toddlers (N = 276) | Pediatric dentists (N = 100) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adequate workforce | N | % | N | % | N | % |
Refer the child to a dentist now | 195 | 51.9 | 111 | 40.2 | 84 | 84 |
Wait and refer the child at 3Â years of age, but continue dental screenings during well-child visits | 121 | 32.2 | 115 | 41.7 | 6 | 6 |
Wait and refer the child at 3Â years of age, but provide counseling and fluoride varnish during medical visits | 49 | 13 | 42 | 15.2 | 7 | 7 |
Not sure | 1 | 0.3 | 1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 10 | 2.6 | 7 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 |
Limited workforce | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Refer the child to a dentist now | 127 | 33.8 | 74 | 26.1 | 55 | 55 |
Wait and refer the child at 3Â years of age, but continue dental screenings during well-child visits | 139 | 36.9 | 121 | 43.8 | 18 | 18 |
Wait and refer the child at 3Â years of age, but provide counseling and fluoride varnish during medical visits | 97 | 25.8 | 73 | 26.5 | 24 | 24 |
Not sure | 3 | 0.8 | 2 | 0.7 | 1 | 1 |
Other | 10 | 2.7 | 8 | 2.9 | 2 | 2 |