National Survey on Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Use among General Dental Practitioners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—An Exploratory Survey

Abstract

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been accepted as an appropriate alternative for caries management. However, knowledge and utilization of SDF among dentists vary considerably. The authors in the present study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and use of SDF among general dentists (GD) in Saudi Arabia and to correlate the differences based on the different regions and experience levels of the dentists. In this regard, a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire was conducted, and a response was received from 311 GDs from different parts of the country. Information regarding demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, use, and barriers to SDF in dentists’ professional lives were elicited. The mean age of the participants (55.3%) was between 25–35 years. Most (92.45%) of the dentists were aware of the material and (61%) agreed that SDF could arrest carious lesions. More than half of the dentists agreed/strongly agreed that SDF was a good treatment alternative for restorations in children with behavioral issues (63.1%), medically fragile patients (53.7%), patients with severe anxiety (64.5%), patients who underwent radiation or chemotherapy (47.3%), and patients needing general anesthesia for dental treatment (74%). Comparative evaluation using ANOVA revealed regional differences based on knowledge, attitudes, and use. Tukey HSD further highlighted that the practitioners in the western region are more knowledgeable regarding its benefits and utilize it more frequently in their practice compared to other regions. On the other hand, the experience level of the GDs did not have any impact on their knowledge, attitudes, and use of SDF.