Caries Risk Assessment and Dental Referral by Paediatric Primary Care Physicians in Sichuan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Limited information is known about dental implementation by pediatric primary care physicians (PCPs) at the primary care level in China. This study aimed to explore the current status of primary oral care implementation and related influencing factors.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among PCPs in Sichuan Province, China. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with CRA and dental referral for high caries-risk children.Results: A total of 504 out of 524 questionnaires remained for analysis. In all, 93.8% of PCPs reported that they usually or sometimes performed dental screening for children, 31.3% performed CRA, and 49.0% referred high caries-risk children to dentists. More CRA activities were associated with PCPs who encountered a greater number of children with caries during systematic care (adjusted OR: 2.37, 95% CI:[1.08,5.18], had dental knowledge training by pediatric dentists (aOR: 2.26, 95% CI:[1.36, 3.75], and learned pediatric dental knowledge on their own (aOR: 2.87, 95% CI: [1.51, 5.45]). In addition to the above associators, a higher rate of dental referrals for high caries-risk children was associated with having a dental department in the same work institute (aOR: 1.72, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.70] and having more confidence in their dental knowledge (aOR: 1.29, 95% CI: [1.04, 1.61]). Conclusion: Paediatric PCPs commonly implement dental screening but perform fewer CRAs and dental referrals for high caries-risk children during systematic health management in western China. To increase CRA activities and dental referral by paediatric PCPs, health policymakers could encourage interdisciplinary cooperation between dental professionals and paediatric PCPs.

Automated summary

In Sichuan Province, China, pediatric primary care physicians commonly perform dental screening, but conduct fewer CRAs and dental referrals for high caries-risk children. Factors influencing physicians' CRA and dental referral activities include encountering more caries patients, receiving dental knowledge training, and having confidence in their dental knowledge.