Dental Caries Preventive Considerations: Awareness of Undergraduate Dental Students.

Hani M. Nassar

doi:10.3390/dj8020031

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess awareness and knowledge of undergraduate dental students of common caries-related preventive considerations and to highlight these factors in a concise manner to act as a guide for dental practitioners. A sample of 118 undergraduate students at a local government dental school was included. An interactive survey that contains questions related to common preventive strategies against dental caries was presented to the students. The survey contained 22 questions concerning dietary and therapeutic strategies. Students casted their votes using their mobile cellphones. The correct answer for each question was shown to the students, and further discussion was held. Data was collected, and the statistical analysis was conducted using one-sample z- and chi-squared tests at 0.05 significance level. The students answered the questions related to oral hygiene practices, xylitol, and the common knowledge regarding fluoride. The questions related to the use of chlorhexidine, dietary factors, and fluoride formulations were answered mostly incorrectly. The students seemed to grasp details of important concepts of flossing, brushing, reducing frequency of sugar exposure, and the use of fluoride products. Still, more emphasis should be given to increase students’ awareness of dietary guidelines for caries prevention, since adequate knowledge of these modalities is paramount for graduating dentists.

Highlights

Dental caries remains to be one of the most common diseases affecting humans [1,2]. This disease can be defined as “a biofilm-mediated, diet modulated, multifactorial, non-communicable, dynamic disease resulting in net mineral loss of dental hard tissues” [3]
A similar trend was observed when the students were asked about the dietary control with low proportions of students answering correctly the majority of questions
This group of questions was presented to depict their understanding of the common dietary parameters affecting the caries process (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Dental caries remains to be one of the most common diseases affecting humans [1,2]. This disease can be defined as “a biofilm-mediated, diet modulated, multifactorial, non-communicable, dynamic disease resulting in net mineral loss of dental hard tissues” [3]. There has been a recent shift in managing dental caries with more focus on prevention and conservative and minimal intervention strategies in the hope of maintaining tooth structure [7]. The reason for this shift is the proven ineffectiveness of current surgical approaches when managing dental caries [1]. Dentists are encouraged to adopt methods for early detection and diagnosis of caries lesions and manage the situation using individualized treatment modalities based on the patient’s caries risk with the focus on behavioral changes and enhancing local protective factors [8]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion