Abstracto

Public Awareness and Perception of Dental Implants in Randomly Selected Sample in Kuwait

 Al-Musawi A

 Background: The growing success of dental implants has made this treatment mode increasingly more popular for the replacement of missing teeth. The aim of this study was to assess public awareness and determine patient’s expectations concerning dental implants through requisite information on treatment mode, prior to presenting for professional consultation on dental implant, as a treatment option. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 527 adult participants were interviewed, through random selection from attendance at public places. A structured questionnaire, with multiple-choice questions, was used to obtain the participants’ level of knowledge on dental implants, including the source of information on which they based this knowledge, their reasons to accept or reject dental implant treatment, as well as their understanding of the procedures involved. Results: In all, (96.4%) of participants had heard of dental implants, and (79.2%) were willing to learn more about dental implants. Almost, two-third (64.9%) of the respondents thought dental implant to be the healthiest treatment mode for missing teeth. Maximum (33.9%) participants gathered dental implants information through media, followed by friends or social gatherings (24%), dental clinics (23.3%), and family (18.8%). Significantly more females than males, and more Kuwaitis than non-Kuwaitis expressed, ‘Good looking’, the reason for acceptance for dental implants (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed a high level of awareness among public, but lack of knowledge on procedural aspects. The study also revealed the need for specialists in this field to spread awareness and relevant information concerning dental implants among the general public. Introduction: Dental implant is increasingly becoming a widely accepted treatment approach in dentistry for the replacement of missing teeth. The success and good prognosis of this treatment has made it very popular among the dentists, offering implant-supported rehabilitation to patients having lost teeth, or those with severely compromised bone structure [1-5]. Though oral reconstruction has been going on since late 1950s with the intra-oral use of titanium implants, the public perception of this mode of treatment has largely remained unmeasured, despite reported improvements in patients treated with implant-supported prosthesis. Several studies from different countries do report the level of patients’ understanding and awareness concerning oral implants [6-13]. However, in Kuwait, dental implant treatment is relatively a new field, hence, public perception of this treatment has never been studied. Being a novel approach, and a surgical intervention, public invariably remains apprehensive of the associated complications, despite the potential benefits of this treatment regimen in tooth-restoration, improving patients aesthetics, self-confidence and quality of life. From clinicians’ experiences in Kuwait, the suggested option of dental implant for replacing missing tooth is often met with reluctance among patients, fearful of surgical outcomes. The basis of our study is inherent in this widespread hesitancy and fear syndrome among the public, making it imperative to probe the extent of public perception and awareness concerning the dental implant treatment in Kuwait. The study is first of its kind, and expected to generate baseline