Awareness and Utilization of Bulk-Fill Composites among Dental Practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of Bulk-Fill (BF) resin composites among dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: An online survey was distributed through Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp applications among dentists in Saudi Arabia. A 31-item questionnaire covering personal data, general knowledge and utilization of BF composites was used. Responses were collected and analyzed for trends. A knowledge scale was developed based on answers with specific weight for each correct answer provided by the participants. A score of ≥ 50% was considered as a satisfactory knowledge level for participants. Statistical analysis was conducted using One-sample Z- and Chi-square tests followed by Bonferroni correction at 0.05 significance level. Results: The total number of participants of the survey was 183, of which 41.5% had some knowledge and utilized BF composites in their practice. Only 9.84% of the participants score ≥ 50% on the knowledge scale. A significantly low proportion recognized accurately the compositional difference between BF and conventional resin composite as well as the minimum irradiance values needed for proper polymerization of BF. There was no effect for gender or years of experience on the knowledge or utilization of BF materials (p-value = 0.172). Conclusion: The proportions of practitioners with adequate knowledge and utilization of BF materials were very low. Additional focus must be provided in order to expose graduating dentists to advances in resin composite formulations.

Knowledge and Attitude of Recent Dental Graduates towards Smart/Bioactive Dental Composites

“…Thus, the longer experience duration that NGDs had in this study didn't increase their reported knowledge of SDCs existence or their respective utilization in dental practice. A study by Nassar et al, reported a similar absence of clinical experience positive effect on the dentists' use of new bulk fill restorative resin materials [30].…”

Current Novel Caries Diagnostic Technologies: Restorative Dentists’ Attitude and Use Preferences

“…The earliest clinically visual manifestation of dental caries is known as white spot lesion (WSL) as it has a distinct chalky opaque appearance on enamel that is caused by a bacterial-acid-induced increase in the porosity of the superficial enamel layer [6,7]. At this stage and prior to frank cavitation of the tooth structure, several therapeutic measures can be applied to reverse or arrest the lesion [6,8,9].…”

“…Restorative treatment of the detrimental effects of dental caries in the oral cavity by merely replacing lost dental hard tissues takes a major toll on healthcare services worldwide [10][11][12]. Current dental practices aim at dealing with dental caries as a whole by focusing on prevention and possible reversal of the entire process, rather than merely managing the disease's manifestations by artificially restoring resultant dental defects [8,13,14]. Even though the diagnosis of dental lesions is only one aspect of the disease's management plan, rigorous procedures resulting in early detection and long-term monitoring of carious WSLs is paramount to its success [14][15][16][17].…”