Abstract
BackgroundKnowledge obtained at the undergraduate level regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has an impact on future practice of dentists and paediatric dentists. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess final-year dental students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards MIH in all Swiss universities.MethodsA previously utilised survey (in both English and German) was distributed among final-year dental students in all Swiss dental schools (Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich). It probed students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding the diagnosis, prevalence, aetiology, and management of MIH, and was structured in two parts: knowledge/perception and clinical application. The students’ responses were analysed statistically with descriptive statistics.Results113 out of 133 final-year Swiss dental students took part in the study (85%). Nearly all students were familiar with MIH (99%), but only 12% of them felt confident when diagnosing MIH clinically. Direct composite fillings (66%), indirect restorations (28%) and preformed stainless-steel crowns (26%) were chosen as most suitable treatment options for MIH-affected teeth.ConclusionFinal-year Swiss dental students are well informed about MIH. However, they report low level of confidence when clinically confronted with MIH-affected teeth regarding its diagnosis and treatment. Swiss Universities curricula should be revisited accordingly.
Highlights
Knowledge obtained at the undergraduate level regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has an impact on future practice of dentists and paediatric dentists
The majority of the students (98%) were familiar with the clinical features of MIH, only 35% of them reported themselves able to diagnose a patient with MIH clinically
Ninety percent of the students estimated the prevalence of MIH in Switzerland to lay between 0 and 25%, but only 20% of them reported knowing this exact percentage as a fact
Summary
Knowledge obtained at the undergraduate level regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has an impact on future practice of dentists and paediatric dentists. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess final-year dental students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards MIH in all Swiss universities. A handful of factors have been hypothesised to be at least partly responsible for the aetiology of MIH. These include, but are not limited to: genetic factors, exposure to environmental pollutants, common childhood illnesses, and birth complications [5]. The prevalence of MIH shows a wide variation ranging between 2 and 40% [6], with an estimated pooled prevalence of MIH at 14.2% globally [7], and which indicates that most dentists will at some time during their career encounter MIHaffected teeth.
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