Awareness on applications of potodynamic therapy in dentistry among undergraduate dental students-a questionnaire survey

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is a light-based therapy that uses photosensitizers as an activating substance which has an inducing and therapeutic effect. It can be used to treat many periodontal and orthodontic problems in dentistry. It is used widely in treating many problems related to periodontics, oral lesions and to treat cariogenic bacteria. The aim of the study was to analyse the awareness on applications of photodynamic therapy in dentistry among undergraduate dental students. A questionnaire was prepared and administered to 100 participants through Google forms-an online survey platform. The study population included undergraduate dental students. Results were collected and generated in SPSS software. The results showed that the majority of participants were aware about the photodynamic therapy and its various uses in dentistry to treat patients. Photodynamic therapy is a light-based therapy which is used to treat various periodontal problems and it is used in gingival curettage and melanin pigmentation removal in dentistry. Within the limitations of the study, we conclude that the undergraduate dental students were well informed about the various uses of photodynamic therapy in dentistry.