Knowledge, Awareness and Practice of Usage of Interdental Aids among Dental Professionals
Lasya Genji
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
M. Jeevitha *
Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
S. Preetha
Department of Physiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
Selvaraj Jayaraman
Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate knowledge, awareness and practice of usage of interdental aids among dental professionals.
Introduction: Dental caries and periodontal diseases, the two most common oral diseases, are mainly avoidable by professional and self-care activities. Dentists’ knowledge and people's attitude on oral hygiene maintenance have a key role in the prevention of oral diseases.
Study Design: This was a survey conducted in an online forum. It was a questionnaire based survey.
Methodology: A set of 10 questions to assess knowledge, awareness and practice of usage of interdental aids was distributed among dental professionals. The data was collected and statistically evaluated using SPSS software.
Results: Majority of the dental professionals are aware of the purpose of interdental cleaning among which 74.5% being MDS and 3.92% being BDS.
Conclusion: Because of the minimal positive reaction to interdental aids among general dentists, educational campaigns offering information on various interdental aids should be conducted.
Keywords: Dental professionals, brushing, interdental brush, flossing, novel method