Journal of dental education
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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 providers. 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. ⋯ 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. Program directors need faculty development for a successful delivery of an oral health curriculum.