Critical Issues in Dental Education Family Medicine Residency Directors’ Knowledge and Attitudes About Pediatric Oral Health Education for Residents

Abstract: The Surgeon General’s report on oral health called for improved education about oral health, a renewed understanding of relationships between oral and overall health, and an interdisciplinary approach to oral health involving primary care provid-ers. This study examined the following: 1) family medicine residency directors ’ knowledge of preventive dental care, 2) status of an oral heath curriculum in family medicine residencies, and 3) the likelihood of initiating an oral health curriculum. We conducted a fifty-item survey of family medicine program directors emphasizing pediatric oral health assessed demographics, knowledge of preventive procedures, existing oral health curriculum, composition, and time commitment for an oral health curriculum. Directors returned 208 (45 percent) surveys. Approximately 95 percent agreed that oral health knowledge should be a component of residency training. Most programs are teaching anticipatory guidance. The mean time program directors felt should be given to an oral health curriculum was four hours. Program directors lack knowledge of preventive dental procedures and oral health care recommendations. Oral health care knowledge is felt to be an important component of residency training. Progra