Evaluation of Isfahan’s Dental Students’ Awareness about Preventive Dentistry

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The modern dentistry approach is moving toward preventive dentistry, an approach that has decreased the prevalence of caries within the past decades. Since some reports imply that dentists are not knowledgeable enough in this issue. PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the attitude and awareness of future dental graduates toward preventive dentistry regarding gender and educational characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHOD This cross-sectional study was performed on one hundred and forty questionnaires which were distributed among dental students of Isfahan province, Azad university of Khorasgan, Iran. Data regarding the level of awareness of dental students about preventive dentistry were recorded and analyzed by using the mean and standard deviations on scores as appropriated. RESULTS Majority of dental students were aware about the role of sugar in caries process, while only a minority were aware about the role of fluoridated toothpaste and brushing method in caries prevention. Most of the students (82.1%) were among the group with medium level of awareness. Compared with their female counterparts, male students had more knowledge about fluoride efficacy and general hygiene role in caries process. CONCLUSION Dental students of  the Isfahan State University and Azad University of Khorasgan had acceptable levels of awareness about the role of sugar and fluoridated water in caries process, but were not aware enough about the role of fluoridated toothpaste in preventing dental caries.