Knowledge, experience and perceptions regarding Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) amongst Australian and Chilean public oral health care practitioners

Abstract

BackgroundMolar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) is a prevalent developmental defect of tooth enamel associated with a high burden of disease. The present study aimed to survey Australian and Chilean oral health care practitioners (OHCPs) working in public dental facilities and to compare their knowledge, clinical experience and perceptions about MIH. Findings would give insights about how current knowledge has penetrated into OHCPs working into the public systems.MethodsA mixed-mode survey regarding MIH was carried out amongst Australian and Chilean OHCPs from the public sector. The survey required responses to questions regarding sociodemographics, clinical experience, perceptions, clinical management and preferences for further training. The level of knowledge regarding MIH was determined by Delphi methods for consensus. Data analysis utilised Chi-square, linear and logistic regression models using SPSS Ver. 22.0.ResultsThe majority of respondents had observed MIH in their patients (88.6 %) and the level of knowledge regarding MIH was high in Australian participants (p = 0.03). Australian respondents felt more confident when diagnosing (OR 8.80, 95 % CI 2.49–31.16) and treating MIH-affected children (OR 4.56, 95 % CI 2.16–9.76) compared to Chilean respondents. Oral health therapists reported higher levels of confidence than Australian general dental practitioners when providing treatment to children with MIH (OR 7.53; 95 % CI 1.95–29.07).ConclusionsContinuing to update clinical guidelines may help practitioners increase their understanding when diagnosing and treating MIH-affected children. Dissemination of information and awareness regarding MIH is necessary in public clinics, and in particular Chilean general dental practitioners should be alerted to these factors.

Perception, Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Molar Incisor Hypomineralization Among Spanish Dentists: A Cross-sectional Study.

“…We used an online survey to avoid the low response rate obtained in postal survey 23 . The response rate was 18.6%, despite a reminder sent at two weeks, which was similar to that recorded in studies in other countries 8,13,16,19,21 .…”

“…In other countries, the training of PDs in MIH shows similar results, although GDPs had less training in MIH (7-8.8%) (16,30). Despite these results, both PDs and GDPs in Spain require ongoing training courses on MIH 8,15,16,19 .…”

“…In Spain, dentistry is mostly private, which is re ected by the responders (84.58% private), unlike countries such as Norway 14 or Australia and Chile 19 where most of the dentists were public workers. We found that 69.16% of participants were GDPs and 30.84% PDs.…”

“…The high prevalence and incidence of MIH, the poor quality of life of child patients and the di cult clinical management, have led to numerous studies on the perception, diagnosis and management of MIH through surveys of dentists, both general dental practitioners (GDPs) and pediatric dentists (PDs) [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] . In Spain, despite the high prevalence described in some areas, no studies have been conducted on how dentists act in the face of MIH.…”

Carious lesion severity and demarcated hypomineralized lesions of tooth enamel in schoolchildren from Melbourne, Australia

“…Atypical restorations were the next most prevalent type of defect for both dentitions. Australian oral health system has greater resources (including clinical guidelines) which make hypomineralized teeth more likely to be restored compared with other countries …”