Pediatricians' views about oral health care.

Pediatricians and family practitioners have the responsibility of providing the crucial primary care for the children. They are considered to be in a unique position to contribute to the dental health of their young patients. In view of this a study was conducted in Mangalore city (India) to assess pediatricians' views about oral health care and their advice regarding oral hygiene maintenance. Fifty pediatricians were personally interviewed with a questionnaire. All pediatricians acknowledged their role in oral hygiene maintenance of their patients. This study showed that there is a need for more communication between the two pediatric specialties of medicine and dentistry so as to deliver better child health care.