Determinants of oral health behaviour among Iranian dentists.

AIM

To study the oral health behaviour of Iranian dentists.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Two annual dental meetings in Tehran, Iran.

PARTICIPANTS

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

METHOD

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.