Other
Fatima Khan, DMD
Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Florida —Gainesville and Naples, Naples, FL
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Abimbola O. Adewumi, BDS, FDSRCS
Program Director
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Teemar Carey, Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Terrie Vasilopoulos, PhD
University of Florida
Teemar Carey, Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Abimbola O. Adewumi, BDS, FDSRCS
Program Director
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess general dentists’ knowledge, practice, and treatment recommendations for patients with oral piercings in a clinical setting.
Methods: General dentists affiliated with the AAPD were emailed a twenty-one-question survey which took about 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey included: 10 demographic questions, 7 questions assessing attitudes and perceptions using a 5-point Likert Scale, and 4 questions regarding treatment and recommendations. Statistical significance was set a priori at p< 0.05.
Results: Of 426 general dentists contacted, 49 agreed to participate (11.5%). Majority of providers viewed oral piercings as an expression of self (75%), reported feeling comfortable discussing the risks and benefits of oral piercings with their patients (100%) and examining oral piercings as a part of their oral exam (88%), and expressed a desire for more training on the management of oral piercings and associated complications (65%). There were no statistically significant differences in attitudes based on age or location of practice. Providers reported acquiring their knowledge on oral piercings either from reading current literature (52%), clinical experience (50%), and/or dental school training (40.5%).
Conclusions: Although the survey response rate was low, preliminary results indicate that providers are now recognizing oral piercings as a form of self-expression. Despite dental school curricula’s paucity on this topic, providers acquired knowledge from other sources enabling them to comfortably manage and treat patients with oral piercings in their practice.