OBJECTIVE: To study pediatricians' knowledge and management in face of possible local and systemic manifestations during tooth eruption, since the relationship between tooth eruption and systemic symptoms is a very controversial issue in pediatrics and dentistry science. METHODS: Observational study. Data were obtained from a questionnaire applied to all the pediatricians (n=21) from the city of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The questionnaire was composed of questions about the doctors' opinion if tooth eruption could be the cause of local and systemic manifestations and how they manage them. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: Among the interviewed pediatricians, 76% believed that the process of tooth eruption can be associated with systemic and/or local manifestations; 94% of them reported anxiety/irritation and itch/suction of fingers or objects as infants' manifestations. Parental/caregivers orientation was the most adopted clinical management (37%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the interviewed pediatricians believe that systemic and/or local manifestations can occur due to tooth eruption and that the clinical management of choice is family orientation.
tooth eruption; tooth deciduous; Pediatrics
