March 2011

Objective The objective of this study was to clarify to what extent Japanese dentists recommend dental floss and what factors influence dentists in encouraging their patients to use dental floss. Participants The subjects in this study were 291 dentists who were directors of dental clinics, selected by stratified sampling by age. Results Dentists whose teachers at dental school had demonstrated dental flossing tended to recommend patients to use dental floss 2.2 (1.0-4.6: 95% CI) times more frequently compared with those who did not see demonstrations of flossing at dental school. Respondents who considered that using dental floss was very easy and easy, moderate, and difficult recommended patients to use dental floss 45.4 (11.2-183.9), 17.4 (6.6-45.8) and 5.9 (2.5-14.1) times more frequently, respectively, compared with those who considered it very difficult. Respondents who considered that using dental floss was effective, fairly effective or very effective in preventing dental caries recommended patients to use dental floss 3.8 (1.7-8.6), 3.8 (1.7-8.8) and 9.1 (3.6-23.0) times more frequently respectively, compared with those who considered it ineffective or only slightly effective. Conclusions The demonstration of the use of dental floss by teachers at their dental schools gave dentists a good impression and a positive opinion of dental flossing. This was closely associated with recommendations by dentists to their patients to use dental floss. Key words: Dental floss, dentist, impression, opinions, questionnaire survey.