Determinants of oral health behaviour among Iranian dentists.
OBJECTIVE
To study the oral health behaviour of Iranian dentists.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Two annual dental meetings in Tehran, Iran.


METHODS
1,033 dentists responded, 980 were eligible for this study.


METHODS
Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire which covered dentists' oral self-care, dental attendance, and smoking. Recommended oral self-care (ROSC) included tooth brushing > 1/day, eating sugary snacks < daily, and regularly using fluoride toothpaste. Knowledge of preventive dental care was assessed by nine Likert-scale statements. Dentist's gender, age, and professional reading were recorded. Statistical evaluation was by the Chi-square test and logistic regression.


RESULTS
In total, 59% of respondents reported brushing their teeth at least 2/day, 59% consumed sugary snacks < daily, 74% used fluoride toothpaste regularly, and 76% were non-smokers. Of all, 27% followed ROSC. Women reported desirable behaviours more frequently than did the men (p < 0.01). Female gender (OR 1.4-2.3), being a non-smoker (OR 1.3-1.5), and wider professional reading (OR = 1.2) were the major factors that contributed to dentists' desirable oral health behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
That only a small number of Iranian dentists follow the ROSC calls for more attention to behavioural contributions to oral diseases and its consequences with general and oral health, regarding both dental curriculum and continuing education.
Ghasemi
Hadi
H
Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. hadi.ghasemi@helsinki.fi
Murtomaa
Heikki
H
Vehkalahti
Miira M
MM
Torabzadeh
Hassan
H
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011313:Preventive Dentistry / Q000193:education; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides