Abstract
To investigate Nigerian dentists' perception of amalgam safety and to highlight the dentists' attitude toward amalgam. A cross-sectional survey of all dentists in Southeastern Nigeria was done using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The report recorded a 90.9% response rate. More specialists (95.7%) than general dentists (74.5%) agreed to the safety of amalgam. Furthermore, more patients seen by the general dentists (85.1%) than by specialists (34.88%) agreed with amalgam safety. Undergraduates' education (82.9%) was the highest source of awareness of the amalgam controversy, followed by inquires (64.3%), colleagues (47.1%), TV/radio (41.4%), conferences (27.1%) and continuing dental education (15.7%). About 37% of respondents knew all the signs and symptoms of amalgam toxicity, while 47.1% of respondents knew that the lung is the fastest route for mercury absorption. About 81.0% of dentists do not support an amalgam ban and 84.3% would not even recommend an alternative to amalgam. Amalgam is well accepted by both dentists and patients in the studied population.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.