Role of the pediatric dentist in optimization of childhood immunization

Resident: Roberts
Date: 2/19/10
Article title: Role of the pediatric dentist in optimization of childhood immunization
Journal: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Year: 1996
Discussion:
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry stated that “pediatric dentists should consider immunization status as part of the periodic medical history for their patients and should encourage parents to seek appropriate immunization for their children.”
Stats:
- Only ¾ of children have received all the recommended vaccines by 35 months of age.
- Lowest immunizations are associated with poverty(58.7%), African- American(61.8%), non-white races(58.4%), and urban residence(62.1%).
- Highest immunization records are found in those living above the poverty line(70.5%), white race(68.4%), and suburban(71.4%), and rural residents(66%).
- States with highest % of vaccinations include: Vermont (88%), Connecticut (86%), and Hawaii (86%), and low levels are reported in Michigan (61%), Idaho(64%), Missouri(64%).
The need for timely immunization is emphasized by the fact that 17,000 - 23,000 cases of preventable infectious diseases are reported annually to the CDC. The largest percentage of these cases are due to hep. B(63%), pertussis (25%), mumps(8%), and Haemophilus influenza(6%). Children younger than 5 years old represent 20 % of these cases.
Many parents remain uninformed that 16 immunizations are currently required during the first 18 months, with an additional four booster vaccines necessary from age 4 – 16 years. The CDC estimates that more than 2 million kids between the ages of 19 to 36 months are likely inadequetly vaccinated. Dentist are in a an opportune spot to inform parents and encourage vaccinations because they are exposed to children from the earliest of ages.
When a dentist first come across a child that has not been vaccinated properly, they should be referred to a local pediatrician or PCP. If they do not have one or lack the financial means to see one, then they can be referred to a local public clinic where immunizations are done at low or no cost to the patient. The American Academy of Pediatrics has established a National Immunizaion Information Hotline (800-232-2522) on where these clinics can be found.