Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation amongst Swiss dental students

Abstract

Background Knowledge obtained at the undergraduate level regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has an impact on future practice of dentists and paediatric dentists. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess final-year dental students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards MIH in all Swiss universities. Methods A previously utilised survey (in both English and German) was distributed among final-year dental students in all Swiss dental schools (Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich). It probed students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding the diagnosis, prevalence, aetiology, and management of MIH, and was structured in two parts: knowledge/perception and clinical application. The students’ responses were analysed statistically with descriptive statistics. Results 113 out of 133 final-year Swiss dental students took part in the study (85%). Nearly all students were familiar with MIH (99%), but only 12% of them felt confident when diagnosing MIH clinically. Direct composite fillings (66%), indirect restorations (28%) and preformed stainless-steel crowns (26%) were chosen as most suitable treatment options for MIH-affected teeth. Conclusion Final-year Swiss dental students are well informed about MIH. However, they report low level of confidence when clinically confronted with MIH-affected teeth regarding its diagnosis and treatment. Swiss Universities curricula should be revisited accordingly.

“Knowledge, clinical experience, and perceived need for training regarding molar-incisor hypomineralization among a group of Egyptian dental students: a cross-sectional study”

“…This conclusion is also supported by another finding where more than two thirds (75.2%) of the dental students in the present study reported knowing the diagnostic criteria of MIH without knowing how to implement them clinically. These findings agreed with those of similar studies where most dental students had knowledge about the clinical features of MIH [ 18 – 20 ].…”

“…Results from this crosssectional study showed that nearly two thirds (69.2%) of the dental students were familiar with MIH and that the most common sources of information for them were lectures and lecture notes, followed by the internet and clinical supervisors in the dental clinic. These findings are consistent with similar studies [18][19][20][21], but in contrast with a study in Saudi Arabia where 64% of the dental students had not heard about it [17].…”

“…About two-thirds of the dental students reported the yellow-brown opacities as the most frequently observed defects. This has been interpreted by other studies based on the fact that such type of lesion could be the least frequently confused with alternative diagnoses such as fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia and carious white spot lesions [18][19][20][21][22][23]26]. PEB was less frequently encountered in the surveyed population.…”

“…Paper-based survey administration method was used to collect the responses of the students as it was more convenient and it also ensured higher response rate. A validated structured questionnaire that had been used in previous studies [17,[19][20][21][22][23] was pilot tested on 20 students who were not included in the statistical analysis. After evaluating the responses, the questionnaire was considered appropriate to be used unmodified.…”

“…Previous similar studies have investigated knowledge, perceptions, and perceived need for training regarding MIH among dental students in different countries [17][18][19][20][21]. To the best of our knowledge, there is insufficient information regarding the knowledge and clinical experience of dental students about such condition in Egypt.…”