Knowledge and attitude of dental health workers towards fluoride in Riyadh area.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of the dentists and hygienists in the Riyadh area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards fluoride.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty dentists and hygienist working in dental clinics in Riyadh were randomly selected. Self-administered questionnaires covered the following areas: general information, the use and application of fluoride, pharmacodymanics and pharmacokinetics of fluoride. The subjects responded to each of the statements by ticking one of the 3-scaled options from "agree" to "disagree".


RESULTS
The majority of the respondents (65%) supported an assessment of the pattern of dental caries before fluoridating the water, 23% disagreed and 5% did not know. Also one hundred and three (79%) of the sample supported fluoridation of water, 16 (12%) disagreed, and 4 (3%) did not know. Fifty-five (42%) agreed that dental caries are expected to increase if fluoridating water is discontinued for one year, while 52 (40%) disagreed and 16 (12%) did not know. In addition, there was a low score concerning knowledge of side effects and toxicity of fluoride among health care workers. Overall, there was no statistical significance between academics and non-academics.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a good attitude and knowledge of fluoride as a preventive measure among dentists. This study also demonstrated that the majority of the health care professionals in Riyadh area were in favor of water and milk fluoridation, however; there was a lack of knowledge regarding side effects and toxicity.
Al-Mobeeriek
A F
AF
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh 11352, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. aziza@ksu.edu.sa
Al-Shamrani
S M
SM
Al-Hussyeen
A J
AJ
Bushnaq
H Z
HZ
Al-Waheib
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000523:psychology*; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia
D005460:Fluorides, Topical