Amalgam safety and dentists' attitude: a survey among a Subpopulation of Nigerian dentists.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate Nigerian dentists' perception of amalgam safety and to highlight the dentists' attitude toward amalgam.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of all dentists in Southeastern Nigeria was done using a self-administered, structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
The report recorded a 90.9% response rate. More specialists (95.7%) than general dentists (74.5%) agreed to the safety of amalgam. Furthermore, more patients seen by the general dentists (85.1%) than by specialists (34.88%) agreed with amalgam safety. Undergraduates' education (82.9%) was the highest source of awareness of the amalgam controversy, followed by inquires (64.3%), colleagues (47.1%), TV/radio (41.4%), conferences (27.1%) and continuing dental education (15.7%). About 37% of respondents knew all the signs and symptoms of amalgam toxicity, while 47.1% of respondents knew that the lung is the fastest route for mercury absorption. About 81.0% of dentists do not support an amalgam ban and 84.3% would not even recommend an alternative to amalgam. Amalgam is well accepted by both dentists and patients in the studied population.
Udoye
Christopher
C
Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria. udoye432@yahoo.co.uk
Aguwa
Emmanuel
E
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004497:Education, Dental; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis; D009549:Nigeria; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012449:Safety; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury