• Marcelle M Nascimento, Leda Mugayar, Scott L Tomar, Cynthia W Garvan, Frank A Catalanotto, and Linda S Behar-Horenstein.
• Dr. Nascimento is Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, Division of Operative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Tomar is Professor, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Garvan is Research Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Florida; Dr. Catalanotto is Professor, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida. mnascimento@dental.ufl.edu.
• J Dent Educ. 2016 Nov 1; 80 (11): 1328-1336.

AbstractThe high prevalence of early childhood caries and many general dentists' reluctance to treat young children and pregnant women demand new educational programs to foster delivery of oral health services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an Infant Oral Health Program (IOHP) at the University of Florida College of Dentistry on dental students' knowledge about and willingness to provide dental care for infants, children up to three years of age, and pregnant women. A total of 233 dental students in the first through fourth years and recent graduates completed a survey that assessed the educational outcomes of the IOHP; only the fourth-year students had received IOHP training. The results showed that females were more likely than males to provide counseling to caregivers about dental and physical development (p=0.024) and to offer restorative treatment to young children (p=0.021). Older students were more likely than younger students to provide restorative treatment (p=0.013). A greater percentage of IOHP-trained students (96%) reported knowing how to use the lap examination technique compared with untrained students (71%; p<0.001). IOHP-trained students were the most uncomfortable dealing with a crying child in the dental chair (p=0.0175). The graduates and fourth-year students were significantly more likely than the other cohorts to provide preventive (p=0.001) and restorative (p<0.001) care for pregnant women. The graduates were least likely to use some form of caries risk assessment (p<0.001). These findings highlight the need for earlier and greater exposure to the IOHP and the importance of promoting awareness about risk assessment and oral disease management.

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