Fluoride Knowledge and Prescription Practices Among Dentists

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess dentists' knowledge about fluorides as well as their prescription practices. The study population consists of all general and pediatric dentists in Houston, and the sample consists of 360 general and forty-one pediatric dentists. Data were collected with a self-administered mail questionnaire, which consisted of thirteen open-ended and twenty-nine precoded items. After three mailings, the effective response rate was 46.4 percent. Respondents had been in practice on an average of 18.9 ±6.6 years; the majority were male. More than 75 percent of respondents believed fluoride level in drinking water is an important determinant of fluoride supplement prescription, and 29 percent felt the same about a patient's weight. The correct ages at which to begin (six months) and to discontinue (sixteen years) the fluoride supplements to children were identified by 14.7 and 14.9 percent of the respondents, respectively. Only 6.7 percent of those prescribing fluoride supplements routinely tested the fluoride level in the patient's drinking water. Even though pediatric and general dentists differed in certain items, the two groups did not differ significantly in prescribing fluorides (OR=2.4, 95% CI=0.94, 6.27). Deficiencies and ambiguity in respondents' fluorides knowledge as well as prescription practices indicated a need for educational interventions.

Early Childhood Caries-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice: Discordance between Pediatricians and Dentists toward Medical Office-Based Prevention in Taiwan

“…Our study is not the first to indicate gaps in fluoride usage-related knowledge between general and pediatric dentists. A previous study by Narendran et al demonstrated a knowledge gap between dentists in the aspects of excessive chronic fluoride exposure, the fluoride supplement dosage, and inappropriate prescription practices; thus, they emphasized strengthening educational interventions at the undergraduate and practitioner levels [ 29 ].…”

Differential diagnosis of dental fluorosis made by undergraduate dental students

“…This suggests that the elapsed time was insufficient to enhance their knowledge on dental fluorosis. According to Narendran et al, ( 22 ) enhanced knowledge about fluorides among healthcare professionals could maximize tooth decay prevention and minimize deleterious effects, such as dental fluorosis.…”

“…Isso sugere que o tempo decorrido foi insuficiente para aumento no nível de conhecimento sobre a fluorose dentária. De acordo com Narendran et al, ( 22 ) uma melhoria do conhecimento de fluoretos entre profissionais de saúde pode maximizar a prevenção da cárie dentária e minimizar os efeitos deletérios como a fluorose dentária.…”

Dentists’ use of caries risk assessment and individualized caries prevention for their adult patients: findings from The Dental Practice-Based Research Network

“…Under‐utilization of an effective preventive agent in adults at risk has been noted previously (10) and may reflect clinicians’ reluctance to recommend preventive treatments not covered by insurance plans or lack of knowledge about its effectiveness (28, 29). Similarly, preventive and conservative interventions for caries may not be used because practitioners believe the evidence regarding the effectiveness of this approach is lacking (30). Our data suggest that some dentists may lack confidence in the validity of CRA.…”