Role of the pediatric dentist in optimization of childhood immunization

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center
Date: 03/19/2010
Article title: Role of the pediatric dentist in optimization of childhood immunization
Author(s):Hicks, Flaitz
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 18:5
Month, Year: 1996

Major topic: Childhood immunization

Minor topics: Role of pediatric dentists beyond just dentistry
Type of Article: informative

Main Purpose: To encourage pediatric dentists to play an active role in assisting children to obtain immunizations.
Overview of method of research: Professional opinion and presentation of statistics derived from other sources.

Findings:
Pediatric detists should keep immunization records of their patients and encourage parents under-immunized children to get immunized. Pediatric dentists can also provide proper referrals to assist in the process. Overall, this could diminish the spread of disease.

Key points/Summary :

• Many children are under-immunized.
• Parents often don’t know if their child has been properly immunized.
• Many children obtain immunizations from a variety of sources, making it harder to track.
• Dentists need to determine their own policies for treating under-immunized patients.

Assessment of article: A lot of text to make a very simple point, but this is good to keep in mind.


Scenario 1:
Autistic child whose parents think MMR caused autism and desire no future Immunizations. Does this matter:
If a parent believes that the MMR caused their child’s autism, then you aren’t going to change their mind. I would say “hey, your kid already has autism, so why not at least keep him from getting disease?”
From a public health standpoint it obviously does matter if the kid is immunized, but I personally could see why the parents would choose not to immunize.

Scenario 2:
trauma case with a dirty wound, no recored of a tetanus booster, what do you recommend?
Pt should be referred to PCP for tetanus booster per AAPD trauma guidelines.