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Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a prevalent chronic pathology, and it has a negative impact on the oral and general health of the child patient. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Spanish paediatricians regarding early childhood caries according to the professional’s years of experience. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted by Spanish paediatricians via WhatsApp and e-mails from January to April 2021. Data were analysed using Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test and Cramer’s V test. Results: There were a total of 359 participants. Most respondents were women (81.3%) with up to 10 years of professional experience (31.2%) in primary health care and public health. In most cases, participants had an excellent knowledge of primary dentition (90.8%), but they ignored (56%) when the first visit to the dentist should occur. Regarding the aetiological factors of caries, oral hygiene and prevention, a lower rate of knowledge was observed. The majority of participants (80.8%) were not able to identify white spot lesions and enamel defects (76%). They considered that their knowledge in oral health was deficient, highlighting the need to increase their training. Less experienced paediatricians were found to have higher success rates. Conclusions: The level of knowledge and attitudes regarding early childhood caries of the evaluated paediatricians should be improved. Paediatricians had difficulties in identifying early caries lesions and enamel defects. Nevertheless, a higher level of knowledge and positive attitudes towards dental caries has been detected among paediatricians with fewer years of professional experience.

The use of fluoridated toothpastes is considered the most rational method in dental caries control, and it is recommended for all ages people, but for this they must be established at a minimum concentration of 1,000 ppm of total soluble fluoride, in pediatric patients. The objective of the study was to determine the concentration of total and soluble fluoride present in toothpastes marketed in Spain for pediatric use.A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out throughout 2019, analyzing 11 toothpastes for pediatric use marketed in Murcia, Spain. The concentration of fluoride (ppm F=mg F/Kg) total (FT), soluble (FTS) and fluoride ion (F) and MFP (FPOAmong the analyzed toothpastes, 45% contained NaF (sodium fluoride), 45% MFP (sodium monofluorophosphate) and 10% both types of salts. The abrasive used was silica. 98% of the analyzed toothpastes showed total fluoride contents similar to those described by the manufacturer, only 3 toothpastes had fluoride concentrations lower than those described. The range obtained from FT oscillated between 398 -1,474.6 ppm F, and 100% of the toothpastes did not show differences between values of total fluoride and soluble fluoride.Most of the analyzed toothpastes contain a concentration of soluble fluoride between 1,000-1,500 ppm Fluoride, corresponding to the values described by the manufacturers However, there are still toothpastes with values lower than those recommended, minimum 1,000 ppm F, that do not allow effective anticaries activity from a public health point of view.El uso de pastas dentales fluoradas es considerado el método más racional en el control de caries dental, y es recomendado para personas de todas las edades, pero para ello han de establecerse en una concentración mínima de 1.000 ppm de fluoruro total soluble, en pacientes pediátricos. El objetivo del estudio fué determinar la concentración de fluoruro total y soluble presente en pastas dentales comercializadas en España para uso pediátrico.Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal durante el año 2019, analizando 11 pastas dentales de uso pediátrico comercializadas en Murcia, España. Se analizó la concentración de fluoruro (ppm F=mg F/kg) total (FT), soluble (FTS) e ión de Flúor (F) y de MFP (FPOEntre las pastas dentales analizadas, el 45% contenían NaF (fluoruro sódico), 45% MFP (monofluorofosfato de sodio) y un 10 % ambos tipos de sales. El abrasivo de todas era sílice. El 98% de las pastas dentales analizadas mostraban contenidos de flúor total similares a los descritos por el fabricante, solamente 3 pastas presentaban concentraciones de flúor inferiores a las descritas por el fabricante. El rango obtenido de FT oscilaba entre 398-1.474,6 ppm F, y el 100% de las pastas dentales no mostraron diferencias entre valores de flúor total y flúor soluble.La mayoría de las pastas dentales analizadas contienen una concentración de flúor soluble entre 1.000-1.500 ppm F, correspondiéndose con los valores descritos por los fabricantes. Sin embargo, todavía existen pastas dentales con valores inferiores a los recomendados de mínimo de 1.000 ppm F que no permiten tener la actividad anticaries efectiva desde el punto de vista de salud pública.