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

Abstract 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”.