Tabriz general dental practitioners’ knowledge and attitude evaluation on space maintainer

Abstract

 Tabriz general dental practitioners’ knowledge and attitude evaluation on space maintainer

 

 

  Dr. Jafari A.,¹ Dr. Taghizadeh-Ganji A.,² Dr. Balaei E.,³ Dr. Zivari MR.,⁴ Mohammad-Poor-Asl A. ^5  ^ 

  ¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University / Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. ² Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medial Science. Tabriz, Iran. ³ Faculty Member, Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medial Sciences. Tabriz, Iran. ⁴ Dentist. ⁵ S tudent, Epidemiology Department, Tehran University / Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran.

  

  (Received 14 April, 2009 Accepted 23 Dec, 2009)

  

  Abstract

  

  Background and Aim : Space maintainers are appliances used to preserve the space and prevent ectopic movement of adjacent and opposing teeth when premature loss of deciduous teeth occurs. This study aimed at evaluation of general dental practitioners’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the space maintainers in Tabriz.

  Materials and Methods : This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 151 subjects, selected randomly from 450 general dentist practicing in Tabriz city/province, located in the North-West of Iran. A self-administered questionnaire was provided to subjects and included questions to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes as well as their case selection policy. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and ANOVA tests.

  Results : 103(70%) of dentists were male. The mean age of subjects was 33.32 years. The mean score on knowledge was 5.32 out of 10 and the mean score on attitude was 25.3 out of 40. About 76.5% (n=115) of participating dentists admitted child patients, younger than 12 years old. These dentists had higher scores in both sections than others. This difference wasn't significant. Increasing scores in the years after graduation was followed by decreasing scores which was statistically significant (P<0.05).

  Conclusion: The general dental practitioners under investigation in this study had a good attitude towards the use of space maintainers. Their knowledge in this regard, however, could be improved by means of attending continuing dental education programs, workshops, brochures and pamphlets.

  Key words : Health Knowledge – Attitudes – Practice - S pace maintainer – Orthodontic Appliances – Child – Primary Dentition – Mixed Dentition - Cross Sectional Student – Iran. 

  

  Corresponding Author : Dr. Taghizadeh-Ganji A., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medial Science. Tabriz, Iran.

  

  e.mail: azin_ganji@yahoo.com