Knowledge of dental fluorosis of undergraduate dental students at a private university in Brazil

Abstract

Background:The understanting of the dental fluorosis process, that begins with enamel maturation, is important to Dentistry students, since fluoride has drastically decreased the incidence of caries in several population groups, with a resultant increase in fluorosis prevalence and severity, as shown in literature.Aims:The objective of this paper is to report the changes in the level of knowledge about dental fluorosis of undergraduate Dentistry students at Guarulhos University.Subjects and Methods:One hundred and twenty-four undergraduate students enrolled in the first and second semester (2008) and seventh semester (2008) were evaluated. The data was obtained through questionnaires with dichotomic questions (true and false) and an alternative to evaluate whether the subject had been presented in the classroom. The data obtained was submitted to statistical analysis using the Chi-square test (α=0.05).Results:When evaluating the first semester students, differences were verified in numbers of the questions assigned with the alternatives true or false, when compared with seventh semester students (p<0.001). However, there were no differences when the same questionnaire was applied to the first semester students after six months (p=0.358).Conclusions:It is possible to conclude that the six months period was insufficient to increase the level of knowledge about dental fluorosis, and when the students beginning and concluding the dentistry course were compared, there was an increase in the number of correctly assigned true or false questions in the latter group.

Knowledge of dental enamel defects amongst undergraduate dental students—a cross‐sectional survey

“…It seems the additional clinical experience of Year 5 students was not broad enough to improve their knowledge and diagnostic skills on dental enamel defects. This result is similar to the findings of a study which assessed knowledge of dental fluorosis amongst undergraduate dental students in Brazil, which found no significant differences when questionnaire results were compared in the first semester and six months later 11 …”

Differential diagnosis of dental fluorosis made by undergraduate dental students

“…In Brazil, in a study with students from the Universidade de Guarulhos , São Paulo State, ( 21 ) no statistical difference was found when the results of first-semester students were compared with results from the same undergraduates six months later. This suggests that the elapsed time was insufficient to enhance their knowledge on dental fluorosis.…”

“…Já no Brasil, em um estudo com alunos da Universidade de Guarulhos, no estado de São Paulo (SP), ( 21 ) nenhuma diferença estatística foi encontrada quando os resultados dos alunos do primeiro semestre foram comparados com os apresentados pelos mesmos discentes, seis meses depois. Isso sugere que o tempo decorrido foi insuficiente para aumento no nível de conhecimento sobre a fluorose dentária.…”

Awareness of dental fluorosis among undergraduate dental students in Riyadh region: a survey based study

“…9 The duration, timing and the dose of fluoride exposure affects the degree of dental fluorosis. 10 The most frequently contributor to fluoride is drinking water, and according to the WHO1993, the superior limit of fluoride in drinking water has been set as 1.5mg/111. Furthermore, improper use of fluoride supplement, milk bottle formula in long-term use, when the young children start to brush their teeth in an early age using fluoride dentifrices, high consumptions of dietary practices like fish, drinking tea before age of 7 and higher socioeconomic status increase the chances of toxicity.…”