Dental students' opinions and knowledge about caries management and prevention.

Students' attitudes toward caries prevention can impact their receptivity to training and subsequent involvement in preventive services in their future practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate dental students' opinions and knowledge regarding caries management and prevention at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. A twenty-six-item written survey instrument was administered to third- and fourth-year dental students. The response rate was 92.3 percent (72/78) for third-year and 45.5 percent (35/77) for fourth-year students. In their responses, 83 percent reported they would use chlorhexidine rinses for caries control, and 51 percent would use salivary tests for detecting cariogenic bacteria. Ninety-two percent reported they would use fluoride varnishes for caries control, and 40 percent were not sure if varnishes have associated dental or medical side effects. The majority of respondents felt that training and practice on caries prevention should be increased. Favorable responses to increasing education in preventive dentistry indicate that students may be receptive to modern caries management and prevention principles. This study suggests there is a need to update and integrate a more comprehensive caries prevention program into the predoctoral dental curriculum. Such programs should stress, in addition to actual training, the importance of prevention in students' future practice.