Knowledge attitude and practice toward preventive dental care among dental professionals in Chennai

Background: Dentists have a unique potential of preparing a future generation ready to accept the preventive services. To keep the clinical practice in pace with the advancing dental sciences, the practitioner′s knowledge and skills toward preventive care options need to improve. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge attitude and practice toward preventive dental care among the dental professionals in Chennai. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among dental professionals in Chennai. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward preventive dental care were assessed using a pretested, structured and validated questionnaire that was administrated to 142 dental professionals. Results: A total of 142 dental professionals participated in this questionnaire study, of which, 95 (66.9%) were males and 47 (33.1%) were females. In the present study, more than 80% respondents agreed to the fact that preventive services can decrease the prevalence of dental caries. Results of the present study reveal that the majority (86%) of the dentists believe that pit and fissure sealants are effective in preventing dental caries in children. The fact is that 72% of dentists in Chennai were aware of atraumatic restorative treatment is a positive finding. Conclusions: Dentists′ knowledge of and attitudes toward prevention should be improved and updated to enable and encourage them to provide their patients with preventive care. Greater effort should be made by the professional organization and governmental agencies to inform patients of the benefits of sealants.