Knowledge of pediatricians and the importance of interdisciplinarity in attention to oral health in early childhood/Conhecimento de medicos pediatras e a importancia da interdisciplinaridade na atencao em saude bucal na primeira infancia

• Published in: Acta scientiarum. Health sciences 2017-01, Vol.39 (1), p.115
• Main Authors: Emmi, Danielle Tupinamba, Lima, Aline Fernandes Melo Ribeiro, de Lemos, Ana Julia Vieira, da Silva, Conceicao de Maria Sales
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 1679-9291
• DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v39i1.32251

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of pediatricians on the integrality of attention to oral health in early childhood. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample consisting of 70 doctors, working in public and private services, in the city of Belem, state of Para, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire with approaches on: the professional profile; the knowledge of oral health of children; the use of fluoride; and self-perception on knowledge of oral health. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, and the association between variables was verified with the Chi-square test, with p = 0.05. The average age of respondents was 41 years. Most professionals were females (88.57%) and featured more than 20 years of professional experience (38.57%). In general, most pediatricians answered satisfactorily the questions related to knowledge of children's oral health. However, when questioned about the knowledge of the use of fluoride, most professionals (92.86%) presented outdated knowledge that could result in inappropriate conduct. It was concluded that most pediatricians have knowledge of oral health promotion, although some concepts and conducts should be updated, especially the importance of fluorides in the control of tooth decay. Keywords: tooth decay, fluorides, pediatrics, prevention. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os conhecimentos de medicos pediatras para integralidade da atencao em saude bucal na primeira infancia. Realizou-se um estudo transversal, com amostra constituida por 70 medicos, atuantes nos servicos publico e privado, na cidade de Belem, Para. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionario com abordagens sobre o perfil do profissional; o conhecimento em saude bucal da crianca; o uso do fluor e a autopercepcao do conhecimento de saude bucal. Executou-se analise descritiva dos dados e para associacao entre variaveis utilizou-se o teste do Qui-Quadrado, com p = 0,05. A idade media dos entrevistados foi de 41 anos. A maioria dos profissionais pertencia ao sexo feminino (88,57%) e apresentava mais de 20 anos de experiencia profissional (38,57%). Em geral, a maioria dos pediatras respondeu de forma satisfatoria as perguntas relacionadas ao conhecimento sobre saude bucal da crianca. Entretanto, quando questionados a respeito dos conhecimentos sobre o uso do fluor, a maioria dos profissionais (92,86%) apresentou conhecimento desatualizado, podendo resultar em condutas inadequadas. Concluiu-se qu