KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE LEVEL OF DENTAL PRACTITIONERS AND STUDENTS IN KSA REGARDING THE AETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PERI-IMPLANT DISEASES: A QUESTIONER-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Peri-implant diseases, including peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, represent significant challenges in dental practice, affecting a substantial proportion of patients with dental implants. Despite their prevalence, knowledge and awareness of these conditions among dental practitioners and students in Saudi Arabia remain inadequately explored. This study aims to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of dental practitioners and students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) regarding the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of peri-implant diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from July to November 2024, involving 1,098 participants, including dental practitioners and students. The structured questionnaire comprised 26 items, categorized into socio-demographic data, knowledge of peri-implant diseases, awareness, and attitudes towards these conditions. Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations between demographic factors and knowledge levels.

Results: Participants were aged 25.9 years, majority female (57.6%). Awareness of dental implants was 87.8%, but only 80.2% recognized peri-implant diseases, with a 19.6% knowledge gap for the diagnosis of periimplantitis and mucositis. Only 58.5% correctly identified periimplant mucositis as one that was reversible. Yet, attitudinal data showed that 74% considered the replacement of missing teeth 'necessary', however only 35.5 of respondents felt 'very well' informed of dental implants. There were significant correlations between knowledge levels and age, educational qualifications, years of experience and GPA (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Even though awareness of dental implants was at high levels; awareness of peri-implant diseases was minimal among dental practitioners and students in KSA. Findings from the study highlight critical gaps in knowledge and awareness of peri-implant diseases among the dental practitioners and students in KSA. Enhanced educational initiatives on implant maintenance and management of peri-implant disease are still needed because the percentage of participants who answered that they felt well informed is extremely low. Closing such a gap is crucial in order to improve patient outcomes, and provide good dental care in the light of growing use of dental implants.