Self-Reported Knowledge and Attitude of Dentists towards Prescription of Fluoride

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the self-reported knowledge and attitude of dentists towards fluoride prescription. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted at the national annual dental congress in 2010 in Tehran-Iran. Dentists' level of knowledge about the preventive effects of systemic and topical administration of fluoride was assessed as well as their attitudes towards its application. Self-reported practice for two paper patients (a child and an adult with high risk of dental caries) was assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS, chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 347 dentists including 232 (73.4%) males and 84 (26.6%) females responded; 84.7% agreed/strongly agreed with addition of fluoride to water and 66% agreed with prescription of fluoride tablets/drops in fluoride-deficient areas. Fluoridated toothpastes were considered useful by 85.3%; this rate was 78.7% for fluoride rinse and 87.6% for fluoride varnish, foam or gel. The majority of dentists (67.4%) reported no access to clear guidelines on fluoride application; 83% considered fluoride to be effective for caries prevention in children less than 12 years and 39.2% believed it was useful for adults and adolescents; 50% of the respondents correctly managed the high-risk child and adult with respect to appropriate selection of fluoride product. Younger dentists (OR=0.94; 95% CI 0.8-0.9; P=0.043) and new graduates (OR=0.94; 95% CI 0.89-0.99; P=0.034) were more likely to correctly manage the high-risk child. CONCLUSION Dentists had good knowledge and positive attitudes towards fluoride application. New graduates were more likely to correctly manage the young high-risk patient.