Third molar-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and medical history of 904 Chinese adults: a cross-sectional survey.

Honglei QU; Yang Yang; Yi Tian; Zhibang LI; Lijuan Sun; Faming Chen; Beimin Tian

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Third molar-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and medical history of 904 Chinese adults: a cross-sectional survey.

Author: Honglei QU ¹ ; Yang YANG ² ; Yi TIAN ¹ ; Zhibang LI ¹ ; Lijuan SUN ¹ ; Faming CHEN ³ ; Beimin TIAN ⁴
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China.
3. State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China. cfmsunhh@fmmu.edu.cn.
4. Department of Periodontology, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China. beimin24@163.com.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Attitude; Knowledge; Medical history; Practice; Prevalence; Third molar
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2023;24(10):896-904
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: This study investigated the perceptions and medical history of third molars (M3s) and assessed the prevalence of visible M3s (V-M3s) among 904 Chinese adults. The enrolled participants were interviewed to complete a structural questionnaire focused on sociodemographic information and their understanding of, attitudes toward, behaviors regarding, and medical history with respect to M3s. In addition, the number of V-M3s in the cohort was determined by oral examination. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between individuals' sociodemographic characteristics and their perception of M3s or the presence of V-M3s. The Chi-square test was used to compare the actions taken against symptomatic M3s and the corresponding outcomes among different groups divided according to respondents' sociodemographic factors. In total, 904 completed questionnaires were gathered and analyzed. Nearly half (43.9%) of the respondents knew nothing about M3s, and only 12.7% provided correct answers to all the questions asked. Male sex, older age, occupation involving physical labor, and no previous dental experience were active factors in unawareness of M3s. Male sex was also significantly associated with the presence of at least one V-M3 and negative behavior about symptomatic M3s. In terms of medical history, 192 participants reported having had at least one M3 extracted (438 in total), and 72.6% of the M3s were removed due to the presence of related symptoms or pathologies. In conclusion, the population investigated had a shortage of knowledge about M3s and adopted negative attitudes and actions about M3-related problems.