Dentists' opinion and knowledge about preventive dental care in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the dentists' opinions on causes for high prevalence of dental caries in the country and to assess their level of knowledge about preventive dental care. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire based national crosssectional survey among 500 dentists was conducted under the auspices of Directorate of Dentistry, Ministry of Health. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 11.0 and descriptive statistics were obtained. RESULTS The response rate was 87.8% (n = 439). 83% of dentists identified poor oral hygiene as the major reason for high prevalence of caries, only 39% of patients reportedly brushed teeth at least once a day, oral prophylaxis (83%) is the most common preventive practice followed, social factors (62.5%) are the most challenging barriers in preventive dental programs, 71.3% always give chair side dental health education, school based programs (66.6%) are most effective tools for dental health education. CONCLUSION Majority of dentists in Saudi Arabia are adequately informed and motivated toward preventive dental care but they are in need of further support from policy makers to enhance preventive dental programs in the Kingdom. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Oral hygiene should be improved in the country by reaching out to the entire community through extensive and continued education programs.