Methods for Caries Prevention in Children Reported by Dentists from a Brazilian Community

Elaine Pereira da Silva  Tagliaferro; Aylton  Valsecki Júnior; Fernanda Lopez  Rosell; Silvio Rocha Correa  da Silva; Joseph L.  Riley; Gregg H.  Gilbert; Valeria Veiga  Gordan

Authors

Elaine Pereira da Silva Tagliaferro
Aylton Valsecki Júnior
Fernanda Lopez Rosell
Silvio Rocha Correa da Silva
Joseph L. Riley
Gregg H. Gilbert
Valeria Veiga Gordan

Keywords:

Dental Caries, Preventive Dentistry, Practice Patterns, Dentists'

Abstract

Objective: To describe the dental practice patterns related to caries prevention in children aged 6-18 years and associated factors. Material and Methods: Dentists (n=162) from Araraquara, Brazil, completed two paper questionnaires: (1) one about characteristics of their practice and their patient population; and (2) a translated version of the “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment” Questionnaire from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Regression analyses were used for data analysis (p<0.05). Results: Dentists reported using in-office fluoride (IOF) and dental sealants (DS) in 74.2% and 45.1% of their pediatric patients, respectively. Regression analysis showed that female dentists (p=0.035 for DS; p=0.044 for IOF; p=0.011 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those with advanced degrees (p=0.032 for prescription of fluoride), those who graduated from a private dental school (p=0.018 for chlorhexidine rinse), those who provided caries prevention regimens (p<0.001 for DS; p=0.004 for IOF; p=0.013 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those with a greater percentage of patients interested in a caries prevention regimen (p=0.007 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those working in a private practice model (p=0.047 for prescription of fluoride) were more likely to recommend some type of preventive methods to their pediatric patients. Conclusion: Dentists reported recommending IOF to most of their pediatric patients. Certain dentists’, practices’, and patients’ characteristics were associated to some caries prevention regimens recommended by dentists.

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