Xiaolin Fang1,2, Fang Hua3,4, Zhi Chen5,6, Lu Zhang7,8. 1. The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 2. Department of Cariology and Endodontics, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 3. Center for Evidence-Based Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 4. Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 5. The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. zhichen@whu.edu.cn. 6. Department of Cariology and Endodontics, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. zhichen@whu.edu.cn. 7. The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. luzhang2012@whu.edu.cn. 8. Department of Cariology and Endodontics, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. luzhang2012@whu.edu.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate caries risk assessment (CRA)-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dentists in China, to describe their subjective ratings of the significance of specific caries risk factors and to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge, attitudes, and use of CRA in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous online questionnaire survey was performed. The questionnaire was distributed via WeChat (Tencent, Shenzhen, China) to practicing dentists between November 25 and December 25, 2021. For participant recruitment, we employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected using a specialized web-based survey tool ( www.wjx.cn ) and analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 826 valid questionnaires were collected. Only 292 (35.4%) respondents used CRA in routine practice, among whom a majority (243, 83.2%) did not use a specific CRA tool. The routine use of CRA was associated with the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures, the habit of reading caries-related literature, geographic location, and the total knowledge score. The mean total knowledge score was 3.13 (score range: 0 to 6). Knowledge levels were related to several sociodemographic characteristics, including geographic location, the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures and the habit of reading caries-related literature. The risk factor deemed most important was "current oral hygiene." CONCLUSIONS: Caries risk assessment has not widely entered clinical practice in China. The level of CRA-related knowledge among dentists was generally suboptimal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strengthening CRA-related education may allow practitioners to develop a better understanding of caries risk assessment and hence promote its implementation.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate caries risk assessment (CRA)-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dentists in China, to describe their subjective ratings of the significance of specific caries risk factors and to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge, attitudes, and use of CRA in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous online questionnaire survey was performed. The questionnaire was distributed via WeChat (Tencent, Shenzhen, China) to practicing dentists between November 25 and December 25, 2021. For participant recruitment, we employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected using a specialized web-based survey tool ( www.wjx.cn ) and analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 826 valid questionnaires were collected. Only 292 (35.4%) respondents used CRA in routine practice, among whom a majority (243, 83.2%) did not use a specific CRA tool. The routine use of CRA was associated with the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures, the habit of reading caries-related literature, geographic location, and the total knowledge score. The mean total knowledge score was 3.13 (score range: 0 to 6). Knowledge levels were related to several sociodemographic characteristics, including geographic location, the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures and the habit of reading caries-related literature. The risk factor deemed most important was "current oral hygiene." CONCLUSIONS: Caries risk assessment has not widely entered clinical practice in China. The level of CRA-related knowledge among dentists was generally suboptimal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strengthening CRA-related education may allow practitioners to develop a better understanding of caries risk assessment and hence promote its implementation.
Authors: Joseph L Riley; Valeria V Gordan; Craig T Ajmo; Hildegunn Bockman; Marlon B Jackson; Gregg H Gilbert Journal: Community Dent Oral Epidemiol Date: 2011-07-04 Impact factor: 3.383
Authors: Emma Warren; Christine Pollicino; Bradley Curtis; Wendell Evans; Alexandra Sbaraini; Eli Schwarz Journal: Value Health Date: 2010-06-17 Impact factor: 5.725