Dental caries prevention in the Dominican Republic. A cross-sectional study of the application of preventive measures among Dominican dental practitioners in the private sector

Abstract

Prevalence of dental caries is still high in developing countries affecting mainly the low-income population. Knowledge of dental caries prevention among dental practitioners is one of the main aspects for the effectiveness in the provision of preventive measures. The purpose of study is to evaluate the application of preventive measures in regards of knowledge and impediments in dental caries prevention and the provision of oral health care services among Dominican dental practitioners in the private sector. This is a cross-sectional study and data collection is from self-administered surveys to Dominican dental practitioners working for the private sector in the Dominican Republic. 308 Dominican dental practitioners participated in the study between the ages of 23-70. The majority of dentists answered positively to the application of preventive measures and knowledge of dental caries prevention. Patients’ poor oral health and poor knowledge of potential caries were a great concern, as well as the use of fluorides. The study concludes that Dominican dental practitioners have the general knowledge of dental caries prevention and provide the necessary preventive measures to the Dominican population. The study had positive results even the high prevalence of dental caries in the Dominican Republic. Some weaknesses were found for the provision of preventive measures from the private sector and the Ministry of Health, but new oral health trends and policies are taken into account.

Keywords: Preventive dentistry, dental caries prevention, dental public health, Dominican Republic