Effectiveness of an educational program on improving the knowledge and practice of environmental sustainability in dentistry among undergraduate students at Faculty of Dentistry in Egypt: an interventional study

BACKGROUND: Dental practices generate significant environmental impacts, necessitating environmentally sustainable dentistry (ESD) for equitable, ethical, and resource-efficient care. However, a knowledge gap exists among dental practitioners regarding sustainable practices. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effectiveness of an educational program on the knowledge and practice (KP) of undergraduate dental students at Pharos University in Alexandria (PUA), Egypt, regarding ESD. METHODS: The study was conducted from April to November 2024 and recruited 175 final pre-clinical (3rd) and final clinical (5th) year students. Participants' KP was evaluated before, immediately after, and six months post-program using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis employed t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and univariate regression models. RESULTS: Participants (58.28% female, mean age 20.88 years) initially demonstrated low awareness of sustainability, primarily relying on social media for information (37.14%). The program improved knowledge, increasing the mean percentage from (60.38% ± 17.74%) to (92.60% ± 7.42%) immediately post-program and (76.41% ± 21.66%) after six months (p < 0.001). Self-reported practices also improved, rising from (52.84% ± 10.79%) to (64.14% ± 11.73%) then (61.90% ± 13.47%) (p < 0.001). Participants with good KP increased from (12.57%, 1.14%) pre-program to (93.14%, 15.42%) immediately post-program, then (51.42%, 18.28%) after six months (p < 0.001). Moderate positive correlations were found between knowledge and practice post-intervention (p < 0.05). Regression indicated that prior awareness of sustainability strongly predicted better KP of ESD at baseline, also final clinical educational level predicted good knowledge and using social media/websites predicted good practice. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline KP regarding ESD was low. The educational program significantly enhanced participants' KP, demonstrating the potential of the multi-component targeted educational intervention in enhancing ESD. Incorporating sustainability into undergraduate curricula is recommended to improve future dental professionals' competencies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial registration number is PACTR202406623852822 (Date: 12 June 2024), "retrospectively registered".