Evaluation of the level of knowledge and approaches of pediatricians and family physicians about pediatric oral and dental health in Diyarbakir province

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge levels and approaches of pediatricians and family physicians in the province of Diyarbakır on pediatric oral and dental health. Material and Method: 61 pediatricians and 96 family physicians participated in this descriptive study conducted in Diyarbakır in 2021. A questionnaire consisting of 4 parts and a total of 43 questions was applied to the physicians. Afterwards, educational brochures were distributed in order to increase the awareness of physicians on pediatric oral and dental health. In the study, Student t test and/or Mann-Whitney U test were used in comparisons with two groups as a result of normality tests regarding knowledge scores, and Anova and/or Kruskall-Wallis H test were used in comparisons with 3 or more groups. Results: Physicians participating in the study were asked 33 questions to measure their level of knowledge about child oral and dental health, and while the maximum score that the participating pediatricians and family physicians could get in these 33 questions was 31, the average score in our study was determined as 23.71 (76%). While the average score of the pediatricians participating in the study was 24.02%, the average score of the family physicians was 23.52%. There was no statistically significant difference between the branches in terms of knowledge levels. When the physicians' status of receiving pediatric oral and dental health education was evaluated, the rate of pediatricians who did not receive pediatric oral and dental health education was found to be significantly higher than that of family physicians. The level of knowledge of the pediatricians who did not find themselves sufficient in terms of child oral and dental health and who wanted in-service training was found to be significantly lower than those who found themselves sufficient and did not want in-service training. Conclusion: Courses on oral and dental health and traumatic dental injuries should be included in the medical school and specialty education curricula of pediatricians and family physicians, in-service training should be given at regular intervals to increase the level of knowledge and awareness. Keywords: Pediatrician, family physician, oral and dental health, child, education.