Caries Arrest Using Silver Diamine Fluoride: Knowledge, Attitude, And Perception of Parents in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives The objective was to evaluate the current knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of parents toward the use of SDF in children’s primary teeth and identify related factors. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from participants in Saudi Arabia. A simple random sampling method was used. An electronic questionnaire was designed to collect data regarding participants’ demographics and their knowledge,attitude, and perception toward the use of SDF. Results A higher proportion of parents/relatives (87.3%) was strongly satisfied with the speed of treatment and its benefits. In terms of disadvantages, 23.8% and 30.4% of the parents/relatives were satisfied and dissatisfied, respectively. Regarding attitudes, the majority of participants (22.8%) responded as neutral to using SDF to treat their children’s anterior primary teeth, whereas 32.2% agreed to the use of SDF in their children’s posterior primary teeth. A higher proportion of parents/relatives who were in the age group of > 50 years (27.8%) had responded as “satisfied” compared with the responses of other age groups. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that SDF is acceptable among Saudi parents/relatives for the purpose of arresting dental caries. However, pigmentation of anterior teeth is a major concern.