Methods: A case cohort design was used with subjects being collected from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital dental clinic. Caregivers were given a survey to complete with questions based on previously validated surveys.
Results: The mean age of children whose caregivers were surveyed was 10.6±4.4 years. Over 80% of caregivers had at least a high school education. Ten percent of children were reported to have used CAM in the past 6 months. Children were in pain for a mean of 10.7±11.5 days. Children whose caregivers reported CAM use were in pain for a significantly greater period of time (30 days), compared to the Non-CAM users (8.4 days) (p=.007). The most commonly used CAM was multivitamin (non-prescription) followed by Echinacea. There were no gender or ethnic associations with CAM use. There was no association between insurance type and CAM use.
Conclusions: Complementary and Alternative medication use needs to be assessed in children presenting for outpatient dental care.
Keywords: Adolescence, CAD/CAM, Children, Epidemiology and Pedodontics