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Abdulaziz Alhumaid¹, Abdulaziz Alrebdi², Ebrahim Alshawy³, Nawaf Almutairi¹ and Yasir Alyahya¹ and Ahmed Alharbi¹

ABSTRACT

Objective: The study aims to assess dentists and dental students prospectively regarding amalgam and their opinions when dealing with it in the dental practice in Saudi Arabia.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Qassim University's College of Dentistry from April 2021 to May 2023.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among dentists and dental students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was conducted. The study included dentists from both public and private health care facilities. Data was collected using online google form, which consisted of demographic information and knowledge, attitude and practices of participants toward the use of amalgam material. Data was analyzed using chi-square test.

Results: Out of 122 participants, the majority were students (n=62), followed by specialists (n=25) and general practitioners (GP) dentists (n=22). A significantly higher percentage of participants revealed that the amalgam is not dangerous in the workplace (n=60, 49.2%). Moreover, a number of 81 participants (66.4%) said that amalgam restorations cannot be replaced by resin restoration. The specialist reported that most of their patients (n=22, 88.0%) do not prefer amalgam restorations due to the dark colour of the amalgam.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, dental professionals in Saudi Arabia believe that amalgam is a risk-free material. Alternatives to dental amalgam are generally preferred by dental professionals mainly for esthetic concerns.

Key Words: Amalgam, Dentist, Dental Amalgam, Dental restoration, filling, KAP, Mercury

Citation of article: Alhumaid A, Alrebdi A, Alshawy E, Almutairi N, Alyahya Y, Alharbi A. Dentists' and Dental Students' Perspectives on Amalgam Restoration in Saudi Arabia. Med Forum 2024;35(1):8-13. doi:10.60110/medforum.350102.