Awareness and Knowledge of Serial Extraction Among General Dentists and Orthodontic Residents in Sana'a City, Yemen
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59222/ustjms.4.15Keywords:
Awareness, Knowledge, Serial extraction, Orthodontics, YemenAbstract
Background: Serial extraction is an interceptive orthodontic approach that guides tooth eruption, promotes spontaneous alignment, and may reduce the complexity of subsequent orthodontic treatment. Evidence on dental practitioners’ knowledge and awareness of serial extraction in Yemen is limited. This study assessed knowledge and awareness of serial extraction among general dentists and orthodontic residents in Sana’a City and identified associated demographic and professional factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sana’a City, Yemen, from July to August 2025 using paper-based and online questionnaires completed by 379 general dentists and 94 orthodontic residents. Knowledge (10 items) and awareness (11 items) were assessed, and associations were examined using chi-square tests and Pearson's correlation, with statistical significance set atP <0.05.
Results: Among 473 respondents, the mean knowledge and awareness scores were 5.56 ± 2.31 and 8.04 ± 2.44, respectively. Overall, 38.1% had good knowledge, whereas 79.7% had high awareness. Correct responses were least frequent for dental cast analysis (23.7%) and the first extraction in Nance’s protocol (37.6%). A large proportion of orthodontic residents had good knowledge (73.4% vs. 29.3%) and high awareness (95.7% vs. 75.7%) compared with general dentists (both P <0.001). Previous experience with serial extraction was associated with better knowledge (P = 0.018) and awareness (P <0.001). Knowledge and awareness scores were positively correlated (r = 0.502, P <0.001).
Conclusion: Among the general dentists and orthodontic residents in Sana'a City, awareness of serial extraction is generally high, but gaps remain in diagnostic space analysis and extraction sequencing. These findings suggest a need to strengthen undergraduate teaching, supervised clinical training, continuing professional development, and specialist referral pathways.
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