The Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Study on Knowledge and Attitude among Italian Dentists

AIM This study aimed to investigate knowledge and attitude about obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children among Italian dentists. METHODS An anonymous questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms and sent to dentists in Italy via private social platforms. The first part of the questionnaire contained basic demographic data questions, and the second part included items about paediatric OSA. A total of 125 responses were recorded over one month. For this study, we excluded questionnaires compiled by orthodontists using the answer “no” to the question “have you achieved your orthodontic residency?”. RESULTS The general dentists who compiled the questionnaire were in total 85, 35 female e 50 male, with an average age of 46,8 years, from regions of North, Centre and South Italy. About 50% of them reports having never received training about paediatric OSA and about 60% consider their knowledge in that field low. Most of the dentists who participated in this study acknowledge the importance of the multidisciplinary team in the management of OSA in children; despite that, they can’t correctly identify the figures mandatorily involved and the referral to other specialists is infrequent. Moreover, some of the most common risk factors of the disorder remain underestimated and some severe consequence of OSA are not recognized by at least 30% of the interviewed. CONCLUSION This study shows lack of knowledge about paediatric OSA and its management among Italian dentists, revealing the need to update the dentistry curriculum and to organize educational interventions.