Stem cells in Dentistry: knowledge and attitude of Nigerian Dentists

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral controversies exist about the methods of harvesting and eventual utilization of stem cells in Medicine and Dentistry. The objective of the study was to investigate the awareness, attitude and knowledge of the use of stem cells in Dentistry among Nigerian Dentists.MethodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among dentists selected from both private and public health sectors, in some of the major cities in Nigeria.ResultsThe majority of the participants were ≤35 years in age, male, Pentecostal Christians, possessed a postgraduate qualification, had practiced for ≤5 years and were specialists or specializing. In this study, 153(81.0%) of the participants reported awareness about the use of stem cells in dentistry which was significantly associated with qualification and type of practice. Most of the respondents 114 (60.3%) had a poor knowledge of the use of stem cells in Dentistry. This was significantly associated with type of practice and awareness about stem cell use in dentistry but binary logistic regression showed awareness as the only determinant of knowledge. About three-quarters 142 (75.1%) of the participants exhibited positive attitude towards stem cell use. This had a positive non-significant association with knowledge and reported awareness.ConclusionData from this study revealed a high level of awareness, positive attitude to and poor knowledge of the use of stem cells in Dentistry among a cross section of Nigerian Dentists.

Perception of Dental Scientists and Post-Graduate Students Regarding Future Prospects of Stem Cells in Dentistry

“…Matične stanice mogu se podijeliti prema stadiju razvoja, plasticitetu i izvoru (2,5,6). Izvori postnatalnih dentalnih matičnih stanica su trajni i mliječni zubi, parodontni ligament, zubna papila, prekobrojni zubi, ekstrahirani zubi u ortodontske svrhe te stanice dentalnog folikula, pulpe i zubnog folikula (2,4) Matične stanice iz zubne pulpe (DPSC, eng.…”

“…Dental Pulp Stem Cells), SHED-a, zubne papile, stanica zubnog folikula i parodontnog ligamenta dostupne su i mogu se pohraniti, pa su jeftina investicija u slučaju liječenja bolesti. Stanice SHED-a mogu se dobiti iz prirodno ispalih mliječnih zuba i iskoristiti se kao izvor postnatalnog ljudskog tkiva (4,5,6).…”

“…Teškoće se uglavnom odnose na etička i vjerska pitanja, kloniranje ljudi, iskorištavanje embrija i jajnih stanica davatelja te na alternativne načine dobivanja matičnih stanica (6). Istraživanja ograničava i nesigurnost u principe stvaranja novih dentalnih tkiva kako bi morfološki što više sličila prirodnima, nedostatak zamjene za oralni epitel embrija koji bi nadomjestio mezenhimalne stanice u koštanoj srži, odbacivanje tkiva te etičke dileme o uporabi ljudskog zametka (4).…”

“…Nakon rasprave o tome koja pitanja treba uvrstiti neka su iz izvornog upitnika izbačena (15 pitanja), licular progenitor cells and periodontal ligament cells are accessible, can be stored easily and are cost-effective for future cure of ailments. SHED cells are retrievable from naturally exfoliated teeth as a source of postnatal human tissue (4,5,6).…”

“…Stem cells have been classified according to growth stage, plasticity and sources (2,5,6). Sources of postnatal dental stem cells include permanent teeth, deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament, stem cells from apical papilla and stem cells from supernumerary tooth, stem cells from teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes, dental follicle progenitor cells, stem cells from human natal dental pulp, and stem cells from dental follicle (2,4).…”