Objective To assess the factors influencing dentists' choice of restorative materials for posterior restorations, with a particular emphasis on the perceived influence of social media on patient preferences among general dental practitioners in Palestine. Design Cross-sectional web-based survey.
Participants/Setting A total of 550 general dentists practising in Palestine were invited between May and December 2023 through convenience and snowball sampling via social media platforms; 390 responded, and 350 complete responses were included in the final analysis. Intervention No specific intervention was applied; this was an observational, questionnaire-based study.
Main outcome measures Dentists' selection of restorative materials (composite, amalgam or high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (HVGIC)) for posterior restorations in relation to tooth type, patient age, oral hygiene, moisture control, financial status and social media influence. Statistical analysis was performed Descriptive statistics, ² tests and multinomial logistic regression were used to examine associations and control for potential confounders.
Results Material selection varied significantly by tooth type (p Conclusion Patient-related factors were the main determinants of material selection, whereas practitioner demographics played a minimal role.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 02 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Factors influencing dentists choice of restorative materials for occlusal cavities: a cross-sectional study from Palestine.
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