The Importance of Integrating Herbal Medicine into Dental Education: A Cross-Sectional Study of Dental Students' Knowledge and Attitudes.

Abstract

Background: Herbal medicine has a long history of traditional use, but its integration into modern dentistry faces barriers like insufficient evidence and knowledge.

Objective: This is the first study of its kind in Syria that aimed to assess the knowledge and perspectives of future dentists regarding the use of medicinal plants in dental practice, their benefits, and their side effects.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 323 Syrian dental students to evaluate their awareness, attitudes, knowledge sources, and experiences with herbal medicine.

Results: 99.1% recognized herbs can serve as medicine, but only 47.4% had prior usage, with efficacy unclear. Most (86.4%) agreed plants are important in dentistry and 83% knew of interactions with traditional drugs. The internet, elders, and lectures were key knowledge sources. Rural students and prior herb users had greater awareness of applications. 83.9% were interested in learning more, and 72.1% supported integrating herbal medicine courses. The main barriers were a lack of scientific evidence and education.

Conclusions: Syrian students demonstrated good knowledge about herbal medicine and the risks of its random usage strongly support integrating evidence-based herbal medicine into dentistry. However, efficacy and safety knowledge gaps currently limit practical application. Targeted research, formal training, and clinical guidance focused on beneficial plants could enable dentists to effectively advise patients on traditional interventions alongside conventional approaches.