Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey
Abstract Objective To investigate the education, knowledge and behaviour of Italian dentists regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2022, through an online survey linked to an online continuing medical education (CME) course se...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Oral Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-05181-x |
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| author | Claudia Salerno Giulio Conti Silvia Cirio Cinzia Maspero Andrea Senna Guglielmo Campus Maria Grazia Cagetti |
| author_facet | Claudia Salerno Giulio Conti Silvia Cirio Cinzia Maspero Andrea Senna Guglielmo Campus Maria Grazia Cagetti |
| author_sort | Claudia Salerno |
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| description | Abstract Objective To investigate the education, knowledge and behaviour of Italian dentists regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2022, through an online survey linked to an online continuing medical education (CME) course sent to Italian dentists. A priori power analysis estimated the necessary sample to be 1480 dentists with an anticipated frequency of 50% and a power of 99.99%. The questionnaire included 46 questions on participants ‘ demographic characteristics, training received, clinical knowledge of SDF, and attitudes and behaviours regarding its use. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and mutlivariable regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the variables. Results The response rate was 6.1% with 3876 respondents, evenly distributed geographically. Less than 10% of respondents had received training at undergraduate, postgraduate or masters level. A minority of dentists were familiar with the use of SDF for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity (19.0%) and for the treatment of caries in children (22.2%) and adults (15.7%). The percentage of dentists who reported SDF use at least once was 20.6%. On mutlivariable analysis (χ2 (11) = 995.9 p-value < 0.01), dentists who used SDF were positively associated with those who cared for patients with special needs, those who received good undergraduate or postgraduate training, and those who knew how to use SDF (p < 0.01). A second mutlivariable analysis (χ2 (11) = 47.9 p-value < 0.01) revealed that younger respondents were associated with good training and knowledge of the use of SDF received during undergraduate studies, while older respondents were associated with good training received on managing hypersensitivity and caries in adults (p < 0.01). Conclusions Overall, Italian dentists ‘ education, knowledge, and use of SDF were relatively poor. The majority of the sample ‘s responses were not consistent with scientific evidence. The use of SDF among Italian dentists is still far from being a reality. In Italy, it is necessary to increase training on SDF, primarily through the university, to hopefully increase its use, especially in non-invasive caries treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-63e8f9a46903470d816b92175b52ee92 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6831 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-63e8f9a46903470d816b92175b52ee922025-01-26T12:55:11ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-01-0125111010.1186/s12903-024-05181-xTraining received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide surveyClaudia Salerno0Giulio Conti1Silvia Cirio2Cinzia Maspero3Andrea Senna4Guglielmo Campus5Maria Grazia Cagetti6Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, University of BernDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of InsubriaDepartment of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of MilanDepartment of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of MilanItalian National Commission of the Dental BoardDepartment of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, University of BernDepartment of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of MilanAbstract Objective To investigate the education, knowledge and behaviour of Italian dentists regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2022, through an online survey linked to an online continuing medical education (CME) course sent to Italian dentists. A priori power analysis estimated the necessary sample to be 1480 dentists with an anticipated frequency of 50% and a power of 99.99%. The questionnaire included 46 questions on participants ‘ demographic characteristics, training received, clinical knowledge of SDF, and attitudes and behaviours regarding its use. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and mutlivariable regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the variables. Results The response rate was 6.1% with 3876 respondents, evenly distributed geographically. Less than 10% of respondents had received training at undergraduate, postgraduate or masters level. A minority of dentists were familiar with the use of SDF for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity (19.0%) and for the treatment of caries in children (22.2%) and adults (15.7%). The percentage of dentists who reported SDF use at least once was 20.6%. On mutlivariable analysis (χ2 (11) = 995.9 p-value < 0.01), dentists who used SDF were positively associated with those who cared for patients with special needs, those who received good undergraduate or postgraduate training, and those who knew how to use SDF (p < 0.01). A second mutlivariable analysis (χ2 (11) = 47.9 p-value < 0.01) revealed that younger respondents were associated with good training and knowledge of the use of SDF received during undergraduate studies, while older respondents were associated with good training received on managing hypersensitivity and caries in adults (p < 0.01). Conclusions Overall, Italian dentists ‘ education, knowledge, and use of SDF were relatively poor. The majority of the sample ‘s responses were not consistent with scientific evidence. The use of SDF among Italian dentists is still far from being a reality. In Italy, it is necessary to increase training on SDF, primarily through the university, to hopefully increase its use, especially in non-invasive caries treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-05181-xPediatric dentistrySilver diamine fluorideDental cariesDental education |
| spellingShingle | Claudia Salerno Giulio Conti Silvia Cirio Cinzia Maspero Andrea Senna Guglielmo Campus Maria Grazia Cagetti Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey BMC Oral Health Pediatric dentistry Silver diamine fluoride Dental caries Dental education |
| title | Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey |
| title_full | Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey |
| title_fullStr | Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey |
| title_short | Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey |
| title_sort | training received knowledge and use of silver diamine fluoride among italian dentists a nationwide survey |
| topic | Pediatric dentistry Silver diamine fluoride Dental caries Dental education |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-05181-x |
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