Fluoride supplements. Changes in physicians' attitudes and practices following an intensive, multifaceted educational program.

Results of a 1981 survey of randomly selected primary care physicians with pediatric patients were compared with the results of a similar survey conducted in 1978. In general, the 1981 survey respondents were more knowledgeable on the subject of fluoride and dental caries, had more positive attitudes about the effectiveness of fluoride supplementation, were more likely to prescribe fluoride supplements, and more closely followed the current guidelines for appropriate use of fluoride supplements. An intensive, multifaceted educational program on fluoride and childhood dental caries sponsored by the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, which started shortly after the first survey, may have contributed to these changes.