Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of patients regarding dental caries prevention in a university hospital in Guangzhou, China. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A hospital-based KAP survey was conducted in a...

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Main Authors: Rui Jiang, Jiali Yu, Rafiqul Islam, Xiang Li, Ermin Nie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Medicina
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/9/1559
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author Rui Jiang
Jiali Yu
Rafiqul Islam
Xiang Li
Ermin Nie
author_facet Rui Jiang
Jiali Yu
Rafiqul Islam
Xiang Li
Ermin Nie
author_sort Rui Jiang
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background and Objectives</i>: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of patients regarding dental caries prevention in a university hospital in Guangzhou, China. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A hospital-based KAP survey was conducted in a cross-sectional manner at the First Affiliated Hospital in Guangzhou, China, from 1 September to 30 September 2022. Questionnaires were distributed to eligible patients, resulting in the participation of <b>251 individuals</b>. The questionnaire consisted of five sections capturing socio-demographic data and exploring participants’ knowledge, attitudes, practice, and accurate preventive dental caries knowledge. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model with univariate tests were used for analysis. <i>Results</i><b>:</b> The study results show that the knowledge score 7.97 (±0.91) and attitudes score 7.67 (±0.89) among the participants were good while the practice score was 6.80 (±0.81) moderate. The majority of participants identified tooth infections (81.3%), bacteria (92%), and sugar (89.2%) as the main causes of gum bleeding and tooth decay. Brushing (96%) and fluoride (80.5%) were also recognized as essential for preventing tooth decay. Of oral diseases, 94% were recognized as potentially affecting overall health. The vast majority ranging from 92.8% to 98%, believed that oral health is crucial to overall health and that regular check-ups and proper brushing habits are beneficial. There is a significant association of gender with age (<i>p</i> = 0.018), occupation (<i>p</i> = 0.050), lifestyle habit (<i>p</i> = 0.012), and knowledge score; whole education is significantly associated with practice score (<i>p</i> = 0.050). <i>Conclusions:</i> The majority of patients exhibited accurate knowledge and attitudes with moderate practice towards dental caries prevention, with socio-demographic factors playing a major role. However, effective implementation of dental health education programs across the healthcare system is still required to further enhance outcomes.
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spelling doaj.art-af3b6180a95e4252a136784c187c659f2023-11-19T11:51:38ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442023-08-01599155910.3390/medicina59091559Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, ChinaRui Jiang0Jiali Yu1Rafiqul Islam2Xiang Li3Ermin Nie4Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhong Shan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhong Shan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaDepartment of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8586, JapanDepartment of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhong Shan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhong Shan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, China<i>Background and Objectives</i>: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of patients regarding dental caries prevention in a university hospital in Guangzhou, China. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A hospital-based KAP survey was conducted in a cross-sectional manner at the First Affiliated Hospital in Guangzhou, China, from 1 September to 30 September 2022. Questionnaires were distributed to eligible patients, resulting in the participation of <b>251 individuals</b>. The questionnaire consisted of five sections capturing socio-demographic data and exploring participants’ knowledge, attitudes, practice, and accurate preventive dental caries knowledge. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model with univariate tests were used for analysis. <i>Results</i><b>:</b> The study results show that the knowledge score 7.97 (±0.91) and attitudes score 7.67 (±0.89) among the participants were good while the practice score was 6.80 (±0.81) moderate. The majority of participants identified tooth infections (81.3%), bacteria (92%), and sugar (89.2%) as the main causes of gum bleeding and tooth decay. Brushing (96%) and fluoride (80.5%) were also recognized as essential for preventing tooth decay. Of oral diseases, 94% were recognized as potentially affecting overall health. The vast majority ranging from 92.8% to 98%, believed that oral health is crucial to overall health and that regular check-ups and proper brushing habits are beneficial. There is a significant association of gender with age (<i>p</i> = 0.018), occupation (<i>p</i> = 0.050), lifestyle habit (<i>p</i> = 0.012), and knowledge score; whole education is significantly associated with practice score (<i>p</i> = 0.050). <i>Conclusions:</i> The majority of patients exhibited accurate knowledge and attitudes with moderate practice towards dental caries prevention, with socio-demographic factors playing a major role. However, effective implementation of dental health education programs across the healthcare system is still required to further enhance outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/9/1559dental cariesoral hygienefluoridefissure sealantspreventive dental knowledge
spellingShingle Rui Jiang
Jiali Yu
Rafiqul Islam
Xiang Li
Ermin Nie
Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China
Medicina
dental caries
oral hygiene
fluoride
fissure sealants
preventive dental knowledge
title Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China
title_full Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China
title_fullStr Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China
title_full_unstemmed Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China
title_short Dental Caries Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Patients at a University Hospital in Guangzhou, China
title_sort dental caries prevention knowledge attitudes and practice among patients at a university hospital in guangzhou china
topic dental caries
oral hygiene
fluoride
fissure sealants
preventive dental knowledge
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/9/1559
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