IADR Abstract Archives
Assessing the Knowledge and Perception of Dentists in Nigeria Towards the use of Bamboo Toothbrush
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception of dentists in Nigeria towards the use of bamboo toothbrush.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional National study of 262 dentists practicing in Nigeria. Data on sex, age, year of practice and type of practice and knowledge and perception of dentists towards bamboo toothbrushes were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi square test was conducted and P< 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34.51±6.12 years, with majority (61.5%) being between 31-40 years, most of which were resident doctors (40.8%) who have been practicing for 1-10 years (54.3%) and above. The mean knowledge score was 8.824.38, with less than half (17%) of the dentist showing poor knowledge of bamboo toothbrush. There was a significant association between location of practice and level of knowledge (p=0.004). Most dentist in this study showed negative perception (67.2%) towards the use of bamboo toothbrush, and would not recommend it, mostly because they do not know much about it (61%). There was a significant association between level of education (p=0.003), professional status (p=0.003), as well as location of practice (p=0.008) of the dentist and perception towards the use of bamboo toothbrush. The major barrier to the use of bamboo toothbrush was found to be low awareness among the populace (73.7%), and poor publicity by the manufacturers (69.5%).
Conclusions: There was a low level of knowledge about bamboo toothbrush among dentists in Nigeria, with a generally negative perception towards its use. There is a need to increase the awareness of bamboo toothbrush among dentists so that they can also educate their patients.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional National study of 262 dentists practicing in Nigeria. Data on sex, age, year of practice and type of practice and knowledge and perception of dentists towards bamboo toothbrushes were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi square test was conducted and P< 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34.51±6.12 years, with majority (61.5%) being between 31-40 years, most of which were resident doctors (40.8%) who have been practicing for 1-10 years (54.3%) and above. The mean knowledge score was 8.824.38, with less than half (17%) of the dentist showing poor knowledge of bamboo toothbrush. There was a significant association between location of practice and level of knowledge (p=0.004). Most dentist in this study showed negative perception (67.2%) towards the use of bamboo toothbrush, and would not recommend it, mostly because they do not know much about it (61%). There was a significant association between level of education (p=0.003), professional status (p=0.003), as well as location of practice (p=0.008) of the dentist and perception towards the use of bamboo toothbrush. The major barrier to the use of bamboo toothbrush was found to be low awareness among the populace (73.7%), and poor publicity by the manufacturers (69.5%).
Conclusions: There was a low level of knowledge about bamboo toothbrush among dentists in Nigeria, with a generally negative perception towards its use. There is a need to increase the awareness of bamboo toothbrush among dentists so that they can also educate their patients.