{"title":"Knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among Bhutanese oral health professionals.","authors":"Tenzin Euden, Pattarawadee Leelataweewud, Varangkanar Jirarattanasopha","doi":"10.1111/ipd.13236","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dental caries remains prevalent among children in Bhutan, despite an increasing number of oral health professionals (OHPs). Insights into caries preventive practices among OHPs can identify areas for capacity building.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among OHPs in Bhutan.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A self-administered online questionnaire was sent to all active registered OHPs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The respondents included 73 dentists and 61 dental hygienists (88% response rate) with a mean experience of 8.4 ± 7.1 years. Many practitioners rarely saw children; most of them, however, exhibited a positive attitude towards caries prevention in children, yet lacked knowledge and practice, especially in younger children. Caries risk factors were not all recognized, and assessment was not practised. Many forms of fluoride were available, but their efficacy was underestimated. Fluoridated toothpaste was underutilized in younger children. Preventive practice relied mainly on giving advice. The most common limitations on preventive practice were the unavailability of materials and treatment prioritized over prevention.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Caries prevention in Bhutanese children requires a systematic approach in the oral healthcare system and further education of OHPs. Proactive strategies, time management and efficient distribution of preventive materials could promote better practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":14268,"journal":{"name":"International journal of paediatric dentistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International journal of paediatric dentistry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.13236","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Dental caries remains prevalent among children in Bhutan, despite an increasing number of oral health professionals (OHPs). Insights into caries preventive practices among OHPs can identify areas for capacity building.
Aim: This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among OHPs in Bhutan.
Design: A self-administered online questionnaire was sent to all active registered OHPs.
Results: The respondents included 73 dentists and 61 dental hygienists (88% response rate) with a mean experience of 8.4 ± 7.1 years. Many practitioners rarely saw children; most of them, however, exhibited a positive attitude towards caries prevention in children, yet lacked knowledge and practice, especially in younger children. Caries risk factors were not all recognized, and assessment was not practised. Many forms of fluoride were available, but their efficacy was underestimated. Fluoridated toothpaste was underutilized in younger children. Preventive practice relied mainly on giving advice. The most common limitations on preventive practice were the unavailability of materials and treatment prioritized over prevention.
Conclusion: Caries prevention in Bhutanese children requires a systematic approach in the oral healthcare system and further education of OHPs. Proactive strategies, time management and efficient distribution of preventive materials could promote better practice.
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry was formed in 1991 by the merger of the Journals of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry and is published bi-monthly. It has true international scope and aims to promote the highest standard of education, practice and research in paediatric dentistry world-wide.
International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry publishes papers on all aspects of paediatric dentistry including: growth and development, behaviour management, diagnosis, prevention, restorative treatment and issue relating to medically compromised children or those with disabilities. This peer-reviewed journal features scientific articles, reviews, case reports, clinical techniques, short communications and abstracts of current paediatric dental research. Analytical studies with a scientific novelty value are preferred to descriptive studies. Case reports illustrating unusual conditions and clinically relevant observations are acceptable but must be of sufficiently high quality to be considered for publication; particularly the illustrative material must be of the highest quality.
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