Up-to-date knowledge on the cariostatic effects of fluoride, as well as the methods and safety of fluoride prophylaxis is passed during both undergraduate and postgraduate education (continuing and specialist professional development training courses, conferences, thematic panels) as well as in the form of publications available in professional journals or online. In 2012, the Independent Expert Panel compiled data on the knowledge of the individual anticaries fluoride prophylaxis in children and adolescents. In 2015, an update was performed by developing a monograph entitled “Consensus statement of Polish experts on individual caries prevention with fluoride in children and adolescents”. Both monographs were published in professional journals and are available online (1-5). Therefore, correct, up-to-date knowledge of fluoride cariostatic mechanisms may be expected from dental practitioners.

The aim of the study was to assess dentists’ knowledge of the safety and mechanism of anticaries effects of fluoride.

A total of 212 dentists participating in paediatric dentistry conferences were included in the questionnaire. Work experience was up to 5 years for 1/3 (37.3%), more than 20 years for 1/4, 6-10 years for 17.9%, 11-15 years for 9.9%, and 16-20 years for 9.0% of respondents. More than half of dentists had no specialty (59.0%), while the remaining respondents were specialised in paediatric dentistry (12.8%) and conservative dentistry with endodontics or other discipline of dentistry (14.1% each). The majority of respondents declared dental treatment in all age groups (93.4%), while the remaining participants limited their practice to children and adolescents (4.7%) or adults (1.9%).

The respondents completed a voluntary and anonymous questionnaire containing 13 single or multiple choice questions. The questions were formulated as follows: (1) is there any region in Poland with fluoridated water?; (2) is drinking water fluoridation banned in Europe?; (3) is dietary fluoride anticariogenic?; (4) is fluoride inhaled with polluted air anticariogenic?; (5) is fluoride anticariogenic at all if patients are still affected by caries despite using fluoride toothpaste?; (6) fluoride most effectively prevents dental caries due to its topical (exogenous) application; (7) fluoride most effectively prevents dental caries due to its systemic (endogenous) application; (8) the most important anticaries action of fluoride involves: (a) effects on remineralisation and demineralisation, (b) effects on the growth and number of bacteria in dental plaque, (c) effects on bacterial carbohydrate metabolism; (9) the use of fluoride to prevent caries is controversial because: (a) fluoride shows dose-dependent therapeutic and toxic effects, (b) fluoride may show adverse effects on the teeth by causing fluorosis, (c) fluoride may show harmful systemic effects; (10) have there been any studies conducted to assess the effects of cariostatic fluoride doses on human health?; (11) if such studies were conducted, did they show any increase in the prevalence of systemic diseases?; (12) is there any evidence for the relationship between cariostatic fluoride doses and the development of: (a) Down syndrome, (b) neurological disorders, (c) Alzheimer’s disease, (d) heart disease, (e) cancer, (f) kidney disease, (g) thyroid disease, (h) increased bone fragility, (i) allergic reactions, (j) reduced IQ, (k) decreased immune responses; (13) are you fully convinced that fluoride preparations reduce the prevalence and severity of caries?

The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.