Attitudes towards the use of fluorides for oral health among Islamic clerics in Kelantan Province, Malaysia (original) (raw)

Community dental health, 2013

Abstract

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Imams (Islamic clerics) concerning fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water to improve oral health in Kelantan. Cross sectional study of Imams in 65 registered mosques in Pasir Puteh district, Kelantan. Face-to-face interview, using structured questionnaire and some open ended questions. Most of the 83 interviewees (82% participation rate) were unsure whether their toothpaste contained fluoride (64%), only 25% were sure. More than one-third (37%) were using fluoridated piped water. Most (87%) had little knowledge of fluorides and more than two-thirds (69%) had lacked positive attitudes towards its use. Television (54%) was the most common source of information about fluorides, followed by newspapers (9%). The main reasons given among the few who opposed fluoride use were i) fear of dangerous side effects (4%) and ii) uncertainty about the halal status of fluoride (2%), Attitudes were not associated with the use of fluoridated wate...

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