Assessment Of Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Regarding Green Dentistry In Udaipur, Rajasthan, India: A Revolutionary Challenge For Dentists

Research Article
Sen,N., Bhat,N., Shah,R., Goyal,K., Patel,D and Mandal,A
DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2017.0812.1221
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
Green dentistry, Eco-friendly, Dental professionals, Waste, Dentists
Abstract: 

The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding green dentistry among dentists in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 dentists (Group A: Dental practitioners, Group B: Dental teaching staffs, Group C: Both dental practitioner and teachers) of Udaipur city. Investigator personally approached the study participants and circulated a self-structured questionnaire, which were collected in 2-3 successive follow-ups. The completed questionnaires were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results showed that majority were males (57.3%) of 41-50 years age group (39.7%). It was observed that study subjects who were both teaching and practicing (Group C) had more knowledge and better attitude than the other two study groups, which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). Amalgam separators and precapsulated alloys were used by minimum dentists (16%), few respondents employed CFL/LED lights (57%) and maximum did not use digital radiography (59.7%). A handful of respondents had placed indoor greenery (24%), used VOC free paints on dental clinic walls (42.6%) and only about 45% study subjects printed on both sides of paper sheet showing poor practices of green dentistry including amalgam waste, energy, paper, light management. The authors concluded that lack of knowledge and awareness prevailed among the dentists of Udaipur city and eco-friendly strategies were not sufficiently being put into practice. Also the Group C subjects (Both dental practitioners and teachers) were found to have healthier knowledge, attitude and practices about green dentistry than the others.