Citation Information :
Kuçi A, Bruci A, Kelmendi A, Shahiqi DI. Knowledge and Attitude toward Dental Floss among Adults in Kosovo: A Cross-sectional Study. World J Dent 2024; 15 (3):253-256.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes toward dental floss among adults in Kosovo.
Materials and methods: An online survey was designed to respond to and collect data regarding flossing habits. The sample age was set from 18 to 65, and all participants, irrespective of dental floss usage, were included and analyzed. The questionnaire contained 12 questions, divided into two sections. The first section contained three general questions, such as age, gender, and occupation, whereas the second section contained 9 questions regarding knowledge and attitude on dental floss. A total of 550 online questionnaires were sent to adults and students from different academic majors through Google Forms. Data were assessed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0. and p < 0.01was considered significant. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test of independence were used to make comparisons between groups; when necessary, the Fisher exact test was used. The sample was divided based on occupation, and a further division of students was made based on the academic field of study.
Results: A total of 494 responders participated in the survey. Based on the results, the majority (70%) of the participants brushed their teeth twice daily, but only 56% said they also used dental floss. Most of the respondents (53%) claimed that their dentist had not recommended using dental floss, and 45% believed that using dental floss would cause tooth diastema. On the further division of the sample based on academic background, students of dentistry showed statistically significant knowledge of dental floss usage.
Conclusion: There is low-to-moderate knowledge regarding dental floss usage among young adults.
Clinical significance: Adults’ awareness of dental floss is inadequate. In the absence of knowledge, maintaining proper dental health may be challenging. Thus, there is a need for a better understatement of the importance of dental floss as well as better encouragement from dentists for frequent dental floss.
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