Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation: a cross-sectional study focusing on knowledge, attitude, and clinical management methods among Romanian dentists within the first five years of practice.

Introduction. Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) stands out as one of the most challenging developmental enamel defects encountered in paediatric dental practice. Difficulties encountered in managing this condition, by early-career dentists, remains unexplored in Romania, despite high exposure of this category of clinicians to paediatric patients. Aim. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding MIH among practitioners within their first five years of postgraduate practice. Materials and Methods. For the purpose of this study, a cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted among 200 dentists, half residents and half non-residents. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising five key sections: demographics, knowledge, attitudes, clinical practice patterns, and educational needs. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to further analyse the data. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the knowledge subscale (CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.048). Results. Dental Residency program, as a postgraduate training, was the strongest predictor of adequate MIH comprehension (OR = 7.13, 95% CI [2.27, 22.44], p < 0.001). The mean knowledge score was 6.31 ± 2.43 out of 9, with 59% of participants demonstrating adequate expertise (score ≥7), correlated with a significant association between the proficiency level and initial management approach ( X² = 43.2, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.657). Standardised diagnostic criteria were used only by 13% of participants, while 77% rated their undergraduate training, regarding MIH, as insufficient or only partially satisfactory. Conclusions. Among nascent professionals in dentistry, competency gaps and practice inconsistencies regarding MIH management were underlined. Dental residency emerged as the primary determinant of both evidence based clinical practices and knowledge adequacy. A finding that calls for objective, structured MIH education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels was the absence of correlation between self-assessment and objective competence.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62838/ASMJ.2026.1.10