Abstract
Halitosis is a growing issue and its management is highly challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and treatment strategies used by French (FD) and Lebanese (LD) dentists. A self-administered structured questionnaire was sent to FD and LD comprising questions about professional characteristics, management, and treatment of halitosis, patients’ referral, and halitosis-related knowledge. A multivariate analysis was conducted to determine differences between FD and LD and to identify parameters that could influence dentists’ management of halitosis. The questionnaire was filled out by 156 FD and 257 LD. Among them, 78.8% of FD and 68.9% of LD were confronted with halitosis management, while only a few routinely asked their patients about halitosis (16% FD, 13.2% LD). Regarding anamnesis, oral hygiene habits were more investigated by FD than LD (p < 0.05). The overall treatment satisfaction was low with 39.7% of FD and 28.4% of LD considering their treatment effective. Regarding halitosis-related knowledge, extra-oral causes were overestimated in both populations. FD (83.4%) and LD (65.8%) considered their education regarding halitosis as insufficient. This study highlights the need of professional education in both countries, targeting proper diagnosis and treatment strategies of halitosis.
Highlights
Halitosis is a common disorder as it affects 22 to 50% of the global population [1].a recent meta-analysis estimated the global prevalence of halitosis being around32% in adolescents and adults [2]
It was reported that individuals with periodontitis exhibit 3.2 higher odds of oral malodor [3] and a potential role for volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) in the gingivitis-to-periodontitis transition has been suggested [4], emphasizing the importance of halitosis consideration
Pathologic halitosis can be of intra-oral or extra-oral origins, and it has been demonstrated that the intra-oral causes such as periodontal diseases, tongue coating, and tooth decay are involved in more than 75% of the cases [6]
Summary
Halitosis is a common disorder as it affects 22 to 50% of the global population [1].a recent meta-analysis estimated the global prevalence of halitosis being around32% in adolescents and adults [2]. Halitosis is a common disorder as it affects 22 to 50% of the global population [1]. A recent meta-analysis estimated the global prevalence of halitosis being around. Halitosis has been linked to oral and systemic conditions. Pathologic halitosis can be of intra-oral or extra-oral origins, and it has been demonstrated that the intra-oral causes such as periodontal diseases, tongue coating, and tooth decay are involved in more than 75% of the cases [6]. Due to its high prevalence and a predominant intra-oral etiology, dentists should play a major role in the management of this condition [7,8]
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