Knowledge, attitudes and practices among patients with impacted wisdom teeth towards teeth extraction in Jinan, Shandong Province, China: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of patients with impacted wisdom teeth towards tooth extraction, with the intention of identifying both gaps and opportunities for improved dental health education and practices. A cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire. The study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, and Jinan Stomatological Hospital. This study included responses from 3467 individuals presenting with impacted wisdom teeth at the study settings between March and May 2023. The primary outcomes measured were the levels of KAP towards wisdom teeth extraction among participants. Knowledge was assessed on a scale of 0-11, attitudes on a scale of 10-50 and practices on a scale of 11-55. Secondary outcomes included the exploration of associations between knowledge, attitudes and practices using structural equation modelling. Participants demonstrated a mean knowledge score of 9.1±1.4, mean attitude score of 38.0±2.7 and mean practice score of 41.7±8.2. The analysis using a structural equation model revealed a direct effect of knowledge on attitudes (path coefficient=2.042, p<0.001) and a direct effect of attitudes on practices (path coefficient=1.460, p<0.001). The findings suggest that patients with impacted wisdom teeth possess adequate knowledge and favourable attitudes towards teeth extraction, which positively influences their practices. However, tailored interventions are still needed to further enhance KAP regarding this procedure in this population.