%0 Journal Article
%T Parental acceptance of Silver Diamine Fluoride in two lower-middle-income countries: Iran and Tajikistan.
%A Sabbagh S
%A Moradi S
%A Haghi-Ashtiani G
%A Bakhtibekov G
%A Manaseki-Holland S
%A Ravaghi V
%J BMC Oral Health
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2024 Jun 13
%M 38872123
%F 3.747
%R 10.1186/s12903-024-04434-z
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Using Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) may be an effective public health approach for managing dental caries in children. Parental acceptance of SDF has rarely been investigated in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to evaluate parental acceptance of SDF to manage dental caries in children aged 2-12 in Iran and Tajikistan.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kurdistan province of Iran and Khatlon region of Tajikistan, 2022-2023. Parents watched a video about SDF and its weaknesses and strengths as compared to conventional approaches before completing the questionnaire. We also reported Prevalence Ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the relationship between parental acceptance and associated demographic factors as well as dental attitude and experience.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Participants were 245 and 160 parents in Iran and Tajikistan, respectively. In both countries, a majority (Iran: 61.6%, Tajikistan: 77.9%) accepted SDF over conventional treatments for all primary teeth. The majority also accepted SDF only for posterior permanent teeth (Iran: 73.5%, Tajikistan: 78.7%). Black discoloration was the main reason for rejecting SDF. Overall, demographic factors and dental experience and attitude were not significantly associated with SDF acceptance.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>SDF was widely accepted by Iranian and Tajik parents. Establishing parental acceptance of SDF is an important step toward its application in LMICs where inexpensive solutions are needed.