Knowledge, attitudes, clinical practices, and educational needs regarding dry mouth among dentists across seven geographical regions of Türkiye: a cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to evaluate dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, clinical practices, and educational needs regarding dry mouth and to investigate their associations with professional characteristics among dentists from seven geographical regions of Türkiye. This cross-sectional study included 656 dentists recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected through an online questionnaire assessing demographic and professional characteristics, educational experiences, clinical practices, and knowledge regarding saliva and xerostomia. Composite knowledge and clinical practice scores were calculated. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, Spearman’s correlation, and multivariable logistic regression were used. Only 19.5% of participants reported performing salivary flow measurements during undergraduate education, and 12.5% had performed them in clinical practice. Overall, 83.8% expressed a desire for further education. The median knowledge score was 29 (IQR: 27–31) and differed significantly according to professional title ( p < 0.001), workplace ( p = 0.005), and professional experience ( p = 0.004). The median clinical practice score was 5 (IQR: 4–7) and differed according to professional title ( p = 0.009). Knowledge and clinical practice scores were positively correlated (Spearman’s ρ = 0.329, bootstrap 95% CI: 0.260–0.399; p < 0.001). Female dentists had higher odds of willingness to receive further education than male dentists (aOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.17–3.06; p = 0.009). Gaps remain between knowledge and the routine clinical implementation of xerostomia management practices, particularly objective diagnostic methods. Strengthening undergraduate and continuing professional education may support more consistent clinical management of dry mouth.