733 Journal of International Oral Health 2016; 8(6):733-738 Space maintainer awareness in Saudi Arabia … Linjawi AI et al Original Research Received: 18 th January 2015 Accepted: 17 th April 2016 Confict of Interest: None Source of Support: Nil Space Maintainers: Knowledge and Awareness among Saudi Adult Population Amal I Linjawi 1 , Salih A Alajlan 2 , Hammam A Bahammam 3 , Abdullah M Alabbadi 4 , Maha A Bahammam 5 Contributors: 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, KSA; 2 Resiedent, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, KSA; 3 Demonstrator, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, KSA; 4 Resident, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Saudi Board of Orthodontics, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, KSA; 5 Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, KSA. Correspondence: Dr. Linjawi AI. Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966504155573. Fax: +966126403316. Email: ailinjawi@kau.edu.sa How to cite the article: Linjawi AI, Alajlan SA, Bahammam HA, Alabbadi AM, Bahammam MA. Space maintainers: Knowledge and awareness among Saudi adult population. J Int Oral Health 2016;8(6):733-738. Abstract: Background: Space maintenance is a critical process in the developing dentition as a preventive measure for multiple malocclusion problems related to the loss of arch length. The aim of this study was to assess the level of adults’ awareness toward space maintainers in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted from January to May 2015. The questionnaire consisted of 19 multiple- choice questions assessing four main categories; (a) Demographic data, (b) oral health knowledge regarding brushing behaviors and dental check-ups, (c) previous experience with early loss of primary teeth and space maintainers, and (d) awareness toward the uses and maintenance of space maintainers. Descriptive statistics and correlations were conducted using SPSS (V16.0). Signifcance level was set at P < 0.05. Result: Out of 600 completed questionnaires collected, 77.3% were males, 94% Saudi majority from provinces in western region. Private dental clinics were the most visited clinics for children care (71%). A higher percent of respondents (72.7%) showed unsatisfactory level of knowledge toward the importance of regular dental visits for children and 88.3% showed satisfactory level of knowledge toward the role of parents in supporting children in their brushing. Moreover, satisfactory level of awareness was found in the followings; the need for special brushing care with space maintainers (74%), management of broken or lost space maintainers (68.7%), and the best time to visit the dentist for lost space maintainers (69.8%). Oral health knowledge and awareness levels showed signifcant correlations with some demographic and previous experience variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The level of knowledge and awareness about the usage, maintenance, and advantages of space maintainers among Saudi adults population is very low, as a result the deleterious efects of neglected lost primary teeth. Key Words: Awareness, children, early loss of primary teeth, Saudi Arabia, space maintainers Introduction The number of children affected by malocclusion due to premature loss of primary teeth has increased signifcantly and is considered one of the most common dental problems together with dental caries, gingival disease, and dental fuorosis. 1,2 Treatment of malocclusion comprises corrective as well as preventive measures. Preventive measures are done in the primary or early mixed dentition, when the frst signs of occlusal mal-development are recognized. 3 The introduction of mixed dentition orthodontic treatment, which aims to reduce or prevent the severity of malocclusion, is of big challenge to orthodontists. Early detection and appropriate referral of cases requiring preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatments are important. It will eliminate or reduce the severity of a developing malocclusion, complexity of treatment, and overall treatment time and cost. It will also improve the self-esteem of the subject and parental satisfaction. 3,4 Among the preventive measures is “Space maintenance” using certain appliances called “Space maintainers.” Space maintainers are fixed or removable appliances used to preserve arch length following the premature loss or elective extraction of primary tooth. 5 Space maintenance is a critical process in the developing dentition. The loss of arch length may lead to multiple problems such as crowding, ectopic eruption, dental impaction, cross bite formation, and dental centerline discrepancies. Thus, the use of space maintainers often afects the future dental needs of a complex orthodontic treatment as it may potentially obviate the need for later extractions. 4 The pediatric dentist plays an equally important role in the follow-up and awareness of oral health for the young patients and their parents. Proper patient education, regular check-ups, and follow ups as well as improving public awareness about the maintenance and care of the primary and mixed dentition, especially with cases of fixed appliances as well as space maintainers are major responsibilities of the pediatric dentist. 6,7 Parents, on the other hand, play an equally important role in the care and decision making regarding the health care for their Doi: 10.2047/jioh-08-06-18