The Current Status of Infant Oral Health Instruction Within Predoctoral Dental Education.

Abstract

A pediatric dental home is a patient-provider relationship that establishes compassionate, comprehensive care that is continually accessible. For more than two decades, professional organizations have recommended children establish a dental home by their first birthday. In 2024, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Council on Pre-Doctoral Education had a governance charge approved by the AAPD Board of Trustees to evaluate the status of infant oral health (IOH) instruction in pre-doctoral dental education. This study was designed to describe the current state of didactic and clinical clock hours dedicated to IOH in U.S. pre-doctoral curricula. Following IRB approval, a 25-item questionnaire was developed and administered electronically to faculty contacts at 66 accredited dental schools.  Question types included multiple choice, multiple selection, and fill-in-the-blank. Descriptive statistics were reported for each item. Response rate for the survey was 59%. The majority of clinical IOH experiences occur at the dental school (82%) or community-based rotations (59%). All respondents teach dental students to recommend that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday. However, only 81% teach dental students to recommend the use of fluoridated toothpaste starting with the eruption of the first tooth or by the child's first birthday.  This study describes the current state of didactic and clinical clock hours dedicated to IOH in U.S. predoctoral curricula. By highlighting the disconnection between professional guidelines and the realities of dental education, the study underscores the need for targeted reforms to enhance student preparedness and improve patient access to care.