Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Syrian dentists towards minimal invasive dentistry and chemomechanical caries removal: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and clinical experiences of general dental practitioners (GPDs), pediatric dentists (PDs), and other dental specialists (ODSs) regarding minimal invasive dentistry (MID) in Damascus, Syria.

Materials and methods: It was an observational, quantitative study utilizing a questionnaire-based online survey. Demographic information data collected included gender, age, specialty, years of practice, number of patients treated per day, and daily working hours. The knowledge assessment evaluated participants' understanding of MID, their awareness of preventive treatment procedures, previous training, and sources of knowledge. Subsequently, attitude toward MID and chemomechanical caries removal (CMCR) questions assessed participants' perspectives on MID principles and their stance on CMCR. In addition, clinical practices explored the participants' application of CMCR in their daily practice. Descriptive statistics were utilized to illustrate the frequency and percentage of categorical variables. A chi-square test was performed to investigate the relationship between specialization, years of experience, and knowledge of the MID and CMCR. p-value below 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results: A total of 252 participants were included in the study. According to MID's knowledge level, most respondents agreed on the importance of fluoride for remineralization (90.1%) and using sealants for high caries-risk children (64.7%). Caries risk assessments (CRA) are strongly agreed (90%). A small percentage of dentists reported rarely using the CRA technique. However, approximately one-third of them consistently evaluated patients' dietary habits. Additionally, 30.2% frequently assessed the patient's current fluoride exposure. 67.5% were familiar with the CMCR technique. The chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between knowledge and years of experience, particularly for those with 0-2 years of experience (p = 0.006). However, specialization did not impact knowledge, as indicated by the p = 0.076. Furthermore, the chi-square test showed that years of experience did not significantly affect knowledge of the technique.

Conclusions: This research provides important perspectives on how dental professionals are adopting MID and CMCR. Although practitioners received MID training during their university studies, only a small percentage expressed complete confidence in their abilities, indicating that dental training programs could be enhanced. It was also identified a strong consensus regarding the advantages of fluoride and preventive measures. However, views varied concerning specific diagnostic and treatment techniques, particularly ART and pit and fissure sealants in permanent teeth.