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CC BY 4.0 · European Journal of General Dentistry
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1802331
Original Article

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dental Practitioners about Probiotics in Jazan: A Mixed-Methods Study

Ankur Jethlia 
1   Division of Diagnostic, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
,
Honey Lunkad 
2   Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
,
Amit Porwal 
2   Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
,
Maryam Zain 
3   Dental Intern, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
,
Rana Wasly 
3   Dental Intern, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
,
Sadeem Zaylai 
3   Dental Intern, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
› Institutsangaben Funding None.
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Abstract

Objectives Probiotics help maintain oral health and contribute to developing healthy microbial equilibrium by positively interacting with oral microbiomes. Recently, evidence has supported using probiotics in reducing the risk of dental caries, periodontitis, and halitosis. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding probiotics among dental practitioners in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods A mixed-methods study design was employed, and the data were collected through a concurrent triangulation design. For quantitative analysis, there were a total of 202 dental practitioners, while 8 participants were included for qualitative analysis. Thematic analysis was done with the help of tech software, and themes were developed. The Mann–Whitney test was performed to analyze quantitative data to check knowledge and attitude. A chi-square test was employed to check the difference between knowledge and years of practice. p-Value <0.05 was set to be statistically significant.

Results In the quantitative analysis, it was reported that both male and female participants had adequate knowledge of probiotics. However, statistical significance was recorded in the knowledge among the groups practicing for more than 5 years (p = 0.025) and 1 year of practice. A statistically significant difference was reported in prescribing probiotics where male practitioners were willing to recommend the probiotics (p = 0.003). The themes developed during qualitative analysis were “knowledge regarding probiotics,” “need for more knowledge,” and “attitude towards prescribing.”

Conclusion This study suggested adequate knowledge among dental practitioners for using probiotics in the Jazan region. Lack of evidence regarding the importance of probiotics in maintaining oral health should be addressed.

Keywords

knowledge - attitude - mixed-methods study - probiotics - concurrent triangulation design - dental practitioners

Ethical Approval

The Internal Ethical Committee of Jazan University (Ref. no. REC-45/05/877) approved this mixed-methods study. Informed consent was also taken from all the participants for qualitative and quantitative analyses.


Supplementary Material



Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. Februar 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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