Attitudes and Opinions on Application of Fluoride of Residents and Dentists in Kanagawa Prefecture

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The aims of this study were to understand the structure of attitudes and opinions on use of fluoride of residents and dentists in Kanagawa Prefecture, and to investigate the kpossibility of the application of fluoride in Japan. Subjects were parents of primary school children and dentists drawn from several communities in Kanagawa Prefecture, and they were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire.The results were as follows,1. The results of the analyzes in parents of primary school(1) There were little differences in knowledge and opinions concerning use of fluoride among communities. Parents had much expectation of preventing dental caries, however knowledge and perception of effect and safety concerning use of fluoride were suspicious.(2) The experience of topical application of fluoride influence selects of procedure for using fluoride and channels of information on dental health.2. The results of the analysis in dentists(1) Distributions of opinions on dental health services and use of fluoride according to communities were similar except for economical factor. Dentists indieated enthusiastic attitudes toward prevention of dental diseases and highly estimate effect of health education.(2) Generally dentists supported the opinions to use topical applications of fluoride as procedure of preventing dental caries, and the perception of safety had a great influence on select of use of fluoride.Both parents and dentists in Kanagawa Prefecture seemed to think that topical applications of fluoride were more appropriate. However, it suggested that these opinions were not clearly formed by correct information and knowledge concerning use of fluoride.We could understand the structure of opinions and attitudes toward application of fluoride in residents and dentists. This grasp appears a significant suggestion for the policy of the dental health in Japan.