Volume 25, Issue 113, July 2021

Knowledge and perception of dental students and practitioners towards treatment of dental fluorosis

Waseem Radwan^1♦, Jumana Al Dulijan², Ranya Abubotain³, Aynaa Alrifae³, Dina Alismail³, Linah Alzeghaibi³, Noura Alawaifi³, Jude Alrajhi³

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Annamuthajiya Campus, Riyadh Elm University (REU), Post Box: 84891, Riyadh- 11681, Saudi Arabia
²Restorative dentist, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Annamuthajiya Campus, Riyadh Elm University (REU), Post Box: 84891, Riyadh- 11681, Saudi Arabia
³Dental intern, College of dentistry, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Annamuthajiya Campus, Riyadh Elm University (REU), Post Box: 84891, Riyadh- 11681, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Dental fluorosis in the anterior teeth may raise esthetic concerns in many patients. There are several methods in dentistry to correct esthetic alterations caused by staining. Hence this study aimed to assess the knowledge of dental students, dental interns, general practitioners, and postgraduates towards the treatment of dental fluorosis in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 1600 clinical dental trainees and practitioners (dental students, dental interns, general practitioners & postgraduates). An online structured, close-ended, self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic information and four figures showing different grades of dental fluorosis (mild, moderate, and severe) and respective treatment modalities were shared on social media platforms to assess knowledge and perception towards resin infiltration. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were applied to compare different categorical variables. Results: The age of the sample ranged between 21- 24. The grading and treatment responses showed statistically significant differences (p<0.0001). In addition, gender showed significant differences regarding the treatment responses for the moderate dental fluorosis, wherein 53.7% of males chose veneers and 56.6% of females chose micro-abrasion (X2=14.159, p=0.003). Conclusion: Minimally invasive esthetic dentistry modalities were effective treatments. In addition, a combination of resin infiltration or micro-abrasion in combination with in-office/home bleaching can always be an option in different fluorosis cases.

Keywords: Dental fluorosis, macro-abrasion, microabrasion, minimally invasive dentistry

Medical Science, 2021, 25(113), 1620-1630

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