Dentists’ Perceptions, Ethical Beliefs, and Clinical Practices Related to Regenerative Therapy in Melaka, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of present study was to assess the knowledge, ethical beliefs, and clinical practices of regenerative dental therapy among private practitioners in Melaka, Malaysia. Methods: A validated questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey involving 114 private practitioners who were randomly selected. Following ethical approval, the questionnaire was made available online. SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyze data from 103 respondents. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the participants, 66.02% agreed that regenerative endodontic therapy should be an essential component in dentistry; however, only 23.3% reported performing these procedures.  87.38% preferred preserving teeth and dental tissues over implants for future regenerative use, although 55.34% believed that regenerative treatments yield better outcomes than implants or prostheses. A significant correlation was observed between gender and treatment outcomes (P = 0.015), between years of clinical experience and the readiness to preserve dental tissues (P = 0.001), and between economic perceptions of treatment and the desire to preserve dental tissues (P = 0.000).Conclusion: A fair level of awareness and positive attitude towards regenerative dental therapy was observed among private practitioners in Melaka, Malaysia, but they reported limited clinical experience. To further enhance the knowledge, clinical skills, and application of regenerative dentistry in Malaysia, continuing professional education and training is crucial.