The Role of Dental Practitioners in Promoting Electric Toothbrushes: A Knowledge Practice Assessment Evaluation

Introduction: Electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual brushes for cleaning teeth, removing plaque, and preventing dental complications. However, there is limited evidence on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental professionals towards their use. This study aims to assess awar...

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Main Authors: Km Pallavi, Priyanka Sachdeva, Ahmad Shoeb Hashmi, Sooriaprakas Chandrasekaran, Sadaf Amreen, Nazia Khan, Ritik Kashwani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1809_24
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Summary:Introduction: Electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual brushes for cleaning teeth, removing plaque, and preventing dental complications. However, there is limited evidence on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental professionals towards their use. This study aims to assess awareness, perceived relevance, and application of electric toothbrushes among dentists and dental students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured self-administered questionnaires, targeting 302 participants including dental students, private practitioners, and academic faculty. The questionnaire administered online and in person consisted of two sections: knowledge, assessment, and practice assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The knowledge assessment, 72.5% of participants had prior knowledge about electric toothbrushes and 68.2% associated them with improved oral care. In the practice assessment, 61.3% had never recommended electric toothbrushes in practice or training, but 70.5% expressed willingness to do so in the future. Perceived capability of utilizing electric toothbrushes was rated as average (3/5) 41.5% and as high (4 or 5/5) 18.3%. Conclusion: Despite positive attitudes toward electric toothbrushes, their use remains limited among dental professionals. Participants recognize the need for more education and resources to bridge gaps and knowledge and confidence regarding electric toothbrushes in dental practice are essential for modern oral care.
ISSN:0976-4879
0975-7406