Awareness, utilization, and determinants of using oral diseases prevention methods among Saudi adults – a clinic-based pilot study

摘要

ObjectivesThe present study was conducted to assess the level of awareness and utilization of methods to prevent oral diseases among a group of adult Saudis.MethodologyAn anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to patients visiting the clinics of the College of Dentistry, University of Dammam in 2015. The questionnaire assessed the background of the respondents, their dental history, awareness and use of a number of methods available to prevent oral diseases, sources of information about these methods and barriers against their use. Regression analysis was used to assess the factors affecting the use of these practices.ResultsBrushing was reported to be used by about 60% of respondents whereas fluoride and sealant were less prevalent (≤30%). Dentist was the most frequently reported source of information about preventive methods (60%) and about 40% cited cost and time as the main reasons why they did not use these preventive methods. Awareness and age were associated with using a greater number of the various preventive methods (odds regression coefficient ratio= 0.27 and 0.04).ConclusionsUse of preventive methods is not prevalent among Saudi adults and it can be improved by more intensive efforts to increase the awareness of these methods, primarily through dentists.