Adherence to Fluoride Application Guidelines Among Dentists and Dental Students in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
Author(s): Latifa Alhowaish, Areej Bukhari*, Rehab Alanazi, Ahad Aldosari, Rana Almzro, Muath Aldosari
Abstract
Aim: Dental care is influenced by a clinician's skills and knowledge. Assessing the level of awareness regarding fluorides will help improve the provision of preventive care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the adherence and understanding of international guidelines (American association of pediatric dentistry and European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) on fluoride application among dental practitioners working with pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was distributed among the study participants. The survey included general knowledge questions regarding optimum water fluoridation level, recommended amount of fluoride present in toothpastes for children below and above 6 years of age. Descriptive statistics were computed using statistical analysis. Results: A total of 348 responses were collected. Residents showed the highest scores in multiple areas, including water fluoridation knowledge, caries risk assessment performance, and fluoridated mouthwash prescription. However, private practitioners were more likely to prescribe fluoride tablets compared with dental school/academic settings. Conclusion: Level of adherence to the current guidelines on fluoride application varies among dental practitioners working with pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia.