Abstract
Background
National centralized dental implants procurement (NCDIP) was a policy implemented by the Chinese government starting from September 2022, aimed at ensuring that the people receive high-quality, efficient, and affordable dental restoration services, and promoting the healthy and orderly development of the dental implant industry. The policy has been implemented for some time now, and a comprehensive investigation is needed to explore its specific effects. Our study aimed to comprehensively understand the knowledge, attitude, behavior(KAP) of dentists towards this policy, evaluate the implementation of the policy, explore the factors that affect KAP, and provide assistance for the improvement and implementation of future policies
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study from May to June in 2023 in China. Online questionnaire was to investigate the KAP of dentists towards NCDIP policy. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that influence KAP.
Results
A total of 1049 dentists completed the questionnaires. 98.66% of dentists knew the policy of NCDIP, and 72.45% of them agreed that they were familiar with this policy. Female dentists had better knowledge towards this policy. At attitudes level, 74.17% dentists believed that the centralized procurement policy could have a significant impact on healthcare reform, 75.04% of dentists agreed that it is reasonable to implement this policy for dental implants to reduce the medical costs of dental implants,93.94% of dentists believing that the policy has reduced the economic burden of dental implants for patients with missing teeth. Dentists working in private hospital were more convinced of the impact of this policy. At the practice level, 63.63% of dentists will prioritize selecting centrally purchased implants for treatment, 90.93% of dentists will actively promote the national centralized procurement policy for dental implants to patients.96.96% of dentists will proactively understand the national centralized procurement policy for dental implants.83.55% of dentists and their families also will choose implants that are centrally procured by the country. Dentists with higher education levels have a higher willingness to choose centralized seed collection and dental implantation. Dentists working in private hospital More willing to proactively understand policies and promote them.
Conclusions
Overall, most dentists have a good knowledges, attitudes, and practices towards the NCDIP policy. At present, the implementation effect of the policy is good, but in public hospitals, the promotion and implementation of the policy still need to be strengthened