To investigate halitosis in the dental curriculum and to explore the situation regarding halitosis in Malaysia through the perspectives and experiences of Malaysian dental professionals.
Method:
A questionnaire survey asking about halitosis coverage in the dental curriculum was mailed to all dental schools (n=12) in the country. The survey for dental practitioners was conducted online.
Result:
1. Ten dental schools (83.3%) responded to the survey. Nine schools reported that they had halitosis covered in the dental curriculum and seven schools had Periodontology department in charge or partially in charge of teaching the subject. Seven schools spent less than 5 hours teaching the subject. No school required their students to treat halitosis patients to fulfill the school’s clinical requirement.
2. The mean age of 104 dentists who participated in the survey was 30.9±6.5 years (min=23, max=59). Over 90% of the dentists reported that they have seen halitosis patients. More than 70% stated that they did not have adequate training to treat and manage halitosis patients and less than 5% of them used organoleptic test to diagnose halitosis. However, 75.8% dentists reported they treated halitosis patients according to their own procedure. Although only 52.9% dentists thought that Malaysian patients responded well to oral health education and oral hygiene instruction, almost all dentists (96.2%) agreed that prevention of halitosis was useful to trigger patient’s interest and motivate them to take care of their health.
Conclusion: Even though halitosis is covered in the dental curriculum, it should also be included in the continuing professional development programme. This is to cater to Malaysian dentists’ need for more training in managing halitosis. Accurate knowledge of halitosis is essential for treatment and prevention of halitosis, and may also be used as a good oral health promotion aid.