Assessing The Knowledge and Attitudes of Group of Practicing Dentists in Saudi Arabia with Regards to Antifungal Prescriptions for The Treatment of Oral Candidiasis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Candida albicans is the most prevalent causative species of oral fungal infections. This study was designed to assess the knowledge of dentists who are practicing in a dental university hospital regarding antifungal prescriptions for the treatment of oral candidiasis in a Riyadh city, SA.

Material and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire were distributed among dentists of different specialties to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward antifungal prescription for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Statistical  analysis  was  carried out  to describe the properties of the sample in terms of frequencies and distribution while chi square test was used to compare the results between groups at level of significant P value ≤0.05 using  the  Statistical Packages for the Social Science (SPSS) Program.

Results: A total of 130 completed questionnaires were received.  Males contributed 55.4% compared to 44.6% female counterparts. Topical antifungals were preferred by 85.4% of the participants. Topical Nystatin and oral fluconazole were the chosen antifungal agents by the dentists for the treatment of local (55.4%) and systemic (58.4%) fungal infections respectively. The challenge that was faced by most respondents (46%) is the lack of knowledge about the recommended dosage to be prescribed. Also, a significant difference in the knowledge was detected between dentists of different specialties.

Conclusion: Most dentists will start with topical antifungal agents, nystatin suspension is the first medication of choice follow by miconazole and for the systemic antifungal agents oral fluconazole is first medication of choice. As for the adjunctive therapy most participants prescribed 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash.