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Preventive

475 - Parental Awareness of the Importance of a Child’s First Dental Visit

Saturday, May 25, 2024
12:15 PM – 12:25 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Hall (back left corner of the hall, space 137)

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Courtney Regan, DDS

    Resident
    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    Greenville, North Carolina, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • MM

    Mark E. Moss, DDS, PhD

    Associate Professor
    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    Greenville, North Carolina, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • RB

    Randall N. Ball, DDS, MS

    Clinical Associate Professor
    East Carolina University
    Greenville, North Carolina, United States

Abstract:



Purpose: The aim of this research study is to assess the age at which children in Eastern North Carolina make their first dental visit and to examine the reasons behind the timing of these visits. Additionally, we seek to gauge parental awareness regarding the significance of the first dental visit as part of anticipatory guidance in child health.

 



Methods: To achieve these objectives, we collected and analyzed data from 50 surveys administered to parents of new patients visiting the East Carolina School of Dental Medicine Pediatric Clinic for a new patient examination.

 



Results: The median age of children being seen for new patient exams was 3 years of age. Parents also selected that they believe the age of a first dental visit should be between 3 to 5 years of age and selected the reason for not coming in earlier was due to patient compliance. However, majority of the parents surveyed selected that they were coming in to establish dental care.

 



Conclusions: Parents are not aware of the importance of establishing dental care early as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends. It is important to promote early dental visits, and one way this may be improved is by educating pediatricians on the importance of infant oral health and a dental home.

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