Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the baseline oral health status of infants and the level of their caregiver's oral health knowledge for families who received preventive oral health services in a medical setting. Methods: Using a prospective cohort study, children 0-3 years of age received an oral health screening, risk assessment, caregiver education, and a fluoride varnish treatment in an ambulatory pediatric medical clinic. A 16-item oral health knowledge and socio-demographic questionnaire was delivered to the caregiver of child. This questionnaire included knowledge, behavior and opinion items on risk factors for dental diseases, care of child's teeth, and socio-demographic characteristics of the family. Six-months after the medical visit, dental claims were examined to see if children had made a dental visit. Results: One hundred and ninety-five children received preventive oral health services in this clinic. Of these, 103 caregivers agreed to complete the oral health knowledge and socio-demographic questionnaire. Twenty-percent of children screening had visible signs of tooth decay, according to risk-assessment 72% were categorized as high-risk for tooth decay, and 83% received a fluoride varnish treatment. At 6-months, 9% of children were found to have had a dental visit. According to the caregiver questionnaire the likelihood of having a dental visit was correlated with the caregiver's knowledge of when a child should have their first dental visit and having been told by a medical professional when their child should be going to the dentist. Conclusion: Children are more likely to have a dental visit when caregivers are aware of the age 1 dental visit, or when advised to seek care by a medical professional. With increased education of medical providers, starting in medical residency training, more children can be seen for preventive oral health care resulting in an earlier establishment of a dental home.

För en god uppväxt är barnets hälsa av stor betydelse och den orala hälsan är en del av den allmänna hälsan. Syftet med studien var att undersöka gravida kvinnors kunskap om kostvanor, munvård och karies hos barn under tre år. Metoden var kvantitativ och har genomförts med en enkät. Undersökningsgruppen var gravida kvinnor och enkäten har distribuerats till dessa via barnmorskor. Resultatet har analyserats deskriptivt och baseras på 243 besvarade enkäter. Data visar att 10 % av de gravida kvinnorna svarade att färskpressad fruktjuice lämpligast bör ges mellan måltiderna. Av respondenterna svarade 93 % att tänderna bör borstas två gånger dagligen. På frågan ifall en mjölktand är känsligare än en vuxentand för karies svarade sammanlagt 60 % felaktigt nej eller vet inte. Slutsatsen tyder på att gravida kvinnor har hög kunskap kring munvård för barn under tre år, men kunskapen om kostvanor och karies är lägre. / General health is crucial in upbringing a child. Good oral health is an essential part of good general health. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnant women's knowledge about nutrition, oral hygiene and caries in children under three years. A quantitative method was used with questionnaire. The study was carried on pregnant women and the questionnaires were distributed by midwives. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed based on 243 responses. The result indicates that 10 % of the pregnant women replied that freshly squeezed juice should preferably be given between meals. Of the respondents, 93 % responded that the teeth should be brushed twice a day. When asked if a baby tooth is more susceptible to caries than an adult tooth for caries 60% responded incorrectly no, or do not know. The conclusion suggests that pregnant women’s knowledge of oral care in children under three years is good, but knowledge with regard to diet and caries is lower.