title: Determinants of preventive dental practice for children among final-year dental students in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to identify the determinants of caries prevention-oriented practice for children among final-year dental students in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was distributed to 179 final-year dental students in six dental schools in Nigeria. It requested information on age, gender, knowledge of caries prevention measures, self-perceived competency in providing caries-preventive care for children, and caries prevention-oriented practice for two hypothetical cases with high and low risk of caries. Chi-squares tests and logistic regression analysis were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 24% and 41% of the respondents indicated their inability to determine the appropriate treatment modality for children with high and low caries risk. Majority of the students failed to differentiate between the caries-preventive practice for children with high and low risk of caries: preventive strategies for children with high caries risk were also used for those with low caries risk. Age, gender, knowledge of caries prevention measures, and self-perceived competency in providing caries-preventive care were not associated with student's capacity to provide caries-preventive practice for children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caries-preventive practice among dental students in Nigeria could be improved. It may be important to explore the possible role of problem-based learning approach in addressing this challenge.
authors: Department of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors: Morenike O
authors: MO
authors: Folayan
authors: Mohammad R
authors: MR
authors: Khami
authors: Nkiru
authors: N
authors: Folaranmi
authors: Omolola
authors: O
authors: Orenuga
authors: Bamidele O
authors: BO
authors: Popoola
authors: Olubukola
authors: O
authors: O Olatosi
authors: Taofeek O
authors: TO
authors: Ligali
authors: Oyinkan O
authors: OO
authors: Sofola
authors: Abiola A
authors: AA
authors: Adeniyi
authors: Ayo
authors: A
authors: Esan
authors: Antony
authors: A
authors: Osaguona
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D011313:Preventive Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires