Abdullah Takriti

• Background: Early childhood caries is one of the most relevant problems that could interfere with the children's quality of life and their general health. Early caries prevention could be a key solution to reduce caries development in children. Aim: Early childhood caries is one of the most relevant problems that interferes with children’s quality of life and sometimes their general health. Prevention could be a key solution to reduce caries development in children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the involvement of specialists in pediatric dentistry and the non-specialists in Germany in early dental prevention, the frequency of different preventive procedures as well as the difficulties in performing them. Furthermore, the study aimed to assess if there are potentially significant differences between specialists and non-specialists. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was designed and distributed in both online and analog version with 5-point Likert scales. 6 German states were included in this study. Both descriptive and statistical analysis (t-test) were made to evaluate the gradual approval or rejection to the different Statements and eventually to compare between both specialists (PD) and non-specialists (GD) in pediatric dentistry. Data were collected anonymously. Results: 511 questionnaires meet the inclusion criteria and included in the study (mean age 47±11 year, 63.8% females, 36.7% PD). GD and PD recommended diagnostic dental visit routinely (1= never, 5= always; GD: mean 3.6±1.2, PD: 4.0±1.1; p<0.01), while parental oral hygiene training on their own children seems to be done more by PD (GD: mean 2.7±1.2, PD: 3.4±1.2; p<0.01). PD recommended tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste after first tooth eruption significantly more often than GD (GD: mean 3.9±1.4, PD: 4.1±1.2; p=0.03). Amazingly fluoride-free toothpaste was also recommended by a relevant number (GD: mean 1.7±1.3, PD: 1.8±1.3; p=0.9). Little cooperation of the child during the examination was the main problem for dentists in both group with 58.7%. Conclusion: GD in participants German states seem to have been engaged in the prevention of early childhood caries, even before the introduction into the National Health System, which was topped by dentists with special training in pediatric dentistry.