Master's Project Title:

Improving the Oral Health of Children seen in Primary Care: Assessment of Current Practice

MCH Student:

Elsa Keeler

Date of Defense:

May 2, 2016

Abstract:

Early childhood caries is the most common chronic disease of childhood, more common than asthma. With frequent visits in the first two years, pediatric clinicians have a vital opportunity to impact the oral health of children in the primary care setting using prevention strategies and early referral to a dental home. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to understand pediatric clinicians’ current practice, perspective and barriers around successful oral health promotion in the primary medical setting. Results from an anonymous survey of pediatric and family medicine clinicians within a medical group will be used to guide recommendations for practice change, with goals to improve both the quality of children’s oral health promotion in the primary medical setting and access to a dental home.