Conhecimento e atitudes de cirurgiões dentistas brasileiros sobre a hipomineralização molar-incisivo

Abstract

Introduction: Two decades after the recognition of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) as a developmental defect of dental enamel that is challenging to dentists, it has been observed that many professionals still have difficulty to perform a differential diagnosis with other defects, elucidative answers are lacking regarding the etiological aspects, in addition to the difficulties in the dental management, especially regarding the long-term success of the treatment. Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitudes of Brazilian dentists on MIH. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. For the sample, the Epi-info 7.0 software was used, in STATCALC module. The ideal sample was 149 dentists. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied by GoogleForms®, including pictures of teeth with MIH. Data collection was carried out between October 2020 and March 2021. The data were analyzed using SPSS® version 22.0 and Chi-Square, Likelihood Ratio, Fischer Exact and Binary Logistic Regression tests were applied. Results: The final sample consisted of 153 dentists (108/ 70.6% females and 45 / 29.4% males) with a mean age of 37 years (± 10.8; RANK: 2369). The majority of professionals (96.1%) reported knowing the condition diagnosis in the pictures, but only 62 (40.6%) reported the diagnosis of MIH, with 19 (12.4%) of the dentists reporting feeling uncomfortable to assist people with this enamel defect. Regarding the etiology, genetic factors (60.8%), nutritional deficiencies (55.6%) and diseases in early childhood (49.7%) were the most cited by the dentists. Most professionals, 32.7% (tooth with mild MIH) and 76.4% (tooth with moderate MIH) suggested that there was a need for some type of treatment. There was a greater chance of a correct diagnosis of MIH for dentists with expertise in Pediatric Dentistry (OR = 19.6; 95% CI 4.3-88.3). Conclusion: MIH is still a relatively unknown topic for Brazilian dentists. It is important to encourage training and constant updating so that professionals can diagnose early and take the best course of action in the face of this enamel defect.