Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi
Background: Xylitol’s unique properties make it a valuable tool in dental care. Its capacity to prevent the growing bacteria, especially Streptococci mutans, is crucial in preventing tooth cavities. By disrupting the metabolism of these microorganisms, xylitol aids in plaque reduction and acids th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/d4e3e0bb-d1c5-43bc-8598-02c15aafd085.pdf |
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| author | Zarah Subhan Nazia Jameel Syed Muhammad Zulfiqar Hyder Naqvi |
| author_facet | Zarah Subhan Nazia Jameel Syed Muhammad Zulfiqar Hyder Naqvi |
| author_sort | Zarah Subhan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Xylitol’s unique properties make it a valuable tool in dental care. Its capacity to prevent the growing bacteria, especially
Streptococci mutans, is crucial in preventing tooth cavities. By disrupting the metabolism of these microorganisms, xylitol aids in
plaque reduction and acids that can lead to tooth decay. This makes xylitol a sugar substitute that offers proactive benefits for oral
health care. Recent local literature on the awareness of dental practitioners regarding the preventive effect of xylitol on dental caries
remains scant.
Objective: To assess dental students’ and faculty members’ awareness of xylitol products for the prevention of dental caries.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Baqai Dental College, Baqai Medical University, from February 2023 to May
2024. The study sample comprised 196 dental students in clinical years, house officers, and faculty members, among whom a piloted
self-structured questionnaire was distributed. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: The response rate of the study was 80%. The median age of the respondents was 23.00 (IQR=24.00-23.00) years and
114 (58.2%) were students. The results showed that only 69 (35.2%) of the participants knew the recommended daily dose of xylitol
for dental health benefits. About the most likely reason for low prescription of xylitol products, 100 (51.0%) of them cited lack of
awareness followed by expense (n=55, 28.1%). Moreover, Only 26 (13.3%) participants had adequate awareness regarding the use
of xylitol products for the prevention of dental caries. On multivariable analysis, participants’ source of information regarding xylitol
products was found to be significantly associated with their awareness level (aOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.50, p=0.004).
Conclusion: Only 13.3% of the study population had adequate awareness regarding the use of xylitol products for the prevention
of dental caries. Moreover, participants’ source of information regarding xylitol products was found to be significantly associated with
their awareness level. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9cf5fa5e71b04c6cb97aa547c8ebe07e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2707-3521 2708-9134 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-9cf5fa5e71b04c6cb97aa547c8ebe07e2025-08-20T02:16:59ZengLiaquat National Hospital and Medical CollegeLiaquat National Journal of Primary Care2707-35212708-91342025-04-017210611110.37184/lnjpc.2707-3521.7.37Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of KarachiZarah Subhan0Nazia Jameel1Syed Muhammad Zulfiqar Hyder Naqvi2Department of Oral Pathology, Baqai Dental College, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Community Medicine, Baqai Medical College, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Community Medicine, Baqai Medical College, Karachi, PakistanBackground: Xylitol’s unique properties make it a valuable tool in dental care. Its capacity to prevent the growing bacteria, especially Streptococci mutans, is crucial in preventing tooth cavities. By disrupting the metabolism of these microorganisms, xylitol aids in plaque reduction and acids that can lead to tooth decay. This makes xylitol a sugar substitute that offers proactive benefits for oral health care. Recent local literature on the awareness of dental practitioners regarding the preventive effect of xylitol on dental caries remains scant. Objective: To assess dental students’ and faculty members’ awareness of xylitol products for the prevention of dental caries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Baqai Dental College, Baqai Medical University, from February 2023 to May 2024. The study sample comprised 196 dental students in clinical years, house officers, and faculty members, among whom a piloted self-structured questionnaire was distributed. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The response rate of the study was 80%. The median age of the respondents was 23.00 (IQR=24.00-23.00) years and 114 (58.2%) were students. The results showed that only 69 (35.2%) of the participants knew the recommended daily dose of xylitol for dental health benefits. About the most likely reason for low prescription of xylitol products, 100 (51.0%) of them cited lack of awareness followed by expense (n=55, 28.1%). Moreover, Only 26 (13.3%) participants had adequate awareness regarding the use of xylitol products for the prevention of dental caries. On multivariable analysis, participants’ source of information regarding xylitol products was found to be significantly associated with their awareness level (aOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.50, p=0.004). Conclusion: Only 13.3% of the study population had adequate awareness regarding the use of xylitol products for the prevention of dental caries. Moreover, participants’ source of information regarding xylitol products was found to be significantly associated with their awareness level.https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/d4e3e0bb-d1c5-43bc-8598-02c15aafd085.pdfawarenessxylitoldental cariesstudentsdentalfaculty |
| spellingShingle | Zarah Subhan Nazia Jameel Syed Muhammad Zulfiqar Hyder Naqvi Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care awareness xylitol dental caries students dental faculty |
| title | Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi |
| title_full | Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi |
| title_fullStr | Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi |
| title_short | Awareness of Dental Students and Faculty Members Regarding Xylitol Products for the Prevention of Dental Caries at a Private Dental College of Karachi |
| title_sort | awareness of dental students and faculty members regarding xylitol products for the prevention of dental caries at a private dental college of karachi |
| topic | awareness xylitol dental caries students dental faculty |
| url | https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/d4e3e0bb-d1c5-43bc-8598-02c15aafd085.pdf |
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