Knowledge of Dentists about Halitosis in Tehran(۲۰۰۴)

Statement of the problem: Halitosis is a common condition. Many oral diseases, as well as several systemic diseases, may cause halitosis. According to some studies the prevalence of this symptom is more than ۵۰%. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of general practitioners (dentists), who work in Tehran, about "halitosis". Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study ۳۷۹ dentists were evaluated. The questionnaire consisted of ۱۵ multiple choice questions (۵ choices with one of them being an "I don’t know"). There were ۵ questions for evaluating knowledge about etiology of halitosis, ۴ questions about pathogenesis, ۴ questions on diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and ۲ questions for treatment. Criterion scores (of ۱۵) calculated as sum of correct answers and ¼ for an "I don’t know" answer. Spearman- Brown’s reliability index was ۰.۸. Chi-square and Lawshe’s ω test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean (±standard deviation) of criterion scores was ۸.۰۶±۲.۱۵ out of ۱۵ (median of ۸; range of ۲.۷۵ to ۱۳). The mean of correct and wrong answers were ۷.۳±۲.۳ (median of ۷) and ۴.۷±۲.۴ (median of ۵), respectively. According to extreme groups’ scores all items were appropriately distinctive. Difficulty degree varied from ۸.۲% to ۸۶.۵%. Conclusion: The level of general practitioners’ knowledge was relatively low. Only about half of study population could achieve a criterion score more than ۷.۵ out of ۱۵.