Knowledge of and Attitude Toward Preventive Care Among Iraqi Dentists and Senior Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Autor:	Alsheekhly B; Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IRN., Namdari M; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IRN., Abbas MJ; Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, IRQ., Ghasemi H; Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IRN.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Cureus [Cureus] 2024 Jul 22; Vol. 16 (7), pp. e65120. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 22 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.65120
Abstrakt:	Objectives: Acquiring knowledge and maintaining a positive mindset are essential for dental care providers to offer optimal dental services. Dental professionals are expected to follow preventive dentistry principles to ensure the best oral health maintenance for their patients, as prevention is a key component of public health initiatives. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward preventive dental care among Iraqi dentists and senior dental students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study, conducted from June to August 2023, involved 876 Iraqi dentists and 587 senior dental students in Baghdad, utilizing a physically paper-based self-administered questionnaire. Participants' level of knowledge was assessed based on a 5-point Likert scale to 12 statements on preventive dental care. Their attitudes were inquired by selecting one option from a 7-point Likert scale on four pairs of bipolar adjectives describing preventive dentistry. Higher scores were considered more accurate knowledge and more positive attitudes. Statistical evaluation included the Chi-square test and regression analysis. Results: In total, data from 841 dentists and 567 students were analyzed (response rate: 96%). Around 90% of dentists (N=745) and students (N=502) acknowledged the impact of sugar, sealant, and water fluoridation on dental caries, but about 80% of dentists (N=662) and students (N=446) undervalued the role of fluoridated toothpaste. Women (OR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.02-2.1) and dentists, within one year of their graduation (OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.5), exhibited higher levels of knowledge. More favorable attitudes towards preventive dentistry were associated with a higher level of knowledge among dentists (OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3). Regarding dental students, those from private dental schools showed higher scores of knowledge than their counterparts from public schools (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.4). The majority of participants held the belief that preventive dentistry is beneficial for the community but just about 60% of dentists (N=477) and students (N=300) exhibited a positive attitude toward the economic advantages of preventive dentistry for dentists, as well as the ease of engaging in preventive dental practices. Conclusions: The dentists and dental students in this study demonstrated satisfactory knowledge and a favorable attitude toward most aspects of preventive dentistry. However, deficiencies were noted in certain areas, such as the application of topical fluoride for preventing dental caries, as well as a substantial proportion of individuals who lacked a positive perspective on the economic benefits of preventive dentistry. Hence, there is a clear need for educational interventions during their undergraduate training and postgraduate continuing education to enhance their knowledge levels and cultivate a more positive attitude towards preventive dentistry. Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran issued approval IR.SBMU.DRC.1402.007. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. (Copyright © 2024, Alsheekhly et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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