Attitudes and practices regarding preventive dentistry among Libyan dentists

Purpose: To assess the attitudes towards and practices related to preventive dentistry among Libyan dentists. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among dentists working in Benghazi. All dentists registered with the Dental Association of Benghazi and with two or more years of practice were invited to participate. The questionnaire enquired about dentists' demographic (gender and age) and professional characteristics (practice sector and years of service), attitudes towards preventive dentistry using nine semantic differential scales and the frequency with which they performed eight preventive measures to patients. Non-parametric tests were used to compare attitudes towards and practices related to preventive dentistry by participants' demographic and professional characteristics. Results: Of the 175 dentists returning questionnaires (response rate 79%), 166 had complete information on all the variables needed for analysis (75%). Dentists felt preventive dentistry was useful and essential to the community as well as of scientific merit for dentists. As for practices, oral hygiene instruction and recommending fluoridated toothpaste were the most commonly reported preventive measures performed by dentists whereas the application of topical fluoride and fissure sealants were the least reported. Attitudes towards and practices related to preventive dentistry varied by professional but not demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Dentists showed a generally positive attitude towards preventive dentistry. However, certain preventive measures, particularly those that incur costs, were less frequently practised.