Domains of Miswak practice among Malaysian Dental Educators: insights from a focus group discussion

Che Musa, Muhd Firdaus and Ab Halim, Noorhazayti and Mohd, Farah Natashah and Lestari, Widya and Sim, Galvin Siang Lin and Mohd Ibrahim, Mohamad Shafiq (2026) Domains of Miswak practice among Malaysian Dental Educators: insights from a focus group discussion. Brazilian Oral Research, 40 (NA). pp. 1-9. ISSN 1806-8324 E-ISSN 1807-3107

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore dental educators’ perceptions of the domains influencing the practice of miswak among dental educators. Dental educators from the International Islamic University Malaysia, representing diverse socio-religious backgrounds, participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) guided by a pre-tested topic framework. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the framework analysis approach. A total of 11 dental educators participated in four FGD sessions conducted. The analysis identified four interrelated domains influencing miswak practice: self-care, conventional teaching, research evidence, and political or policy context. Participants described miswak primarily as a culturally and religiously embedded oral hygiene practice, while also highlighting uncertainties regarding its integration into the dental education due to limited curriculum guidance and perceived gaps in evidence dissemination. Some participants argued that their Western-oriented dental training also influenced how miswak is perceived within the education system. Overall, the findings suggest that educators’ education and training background, together with their levels of knowledge and awareness, shape perceptions of miswak and influence its acceptance within dental education and practice. Further research may help inform educational guidance to support the appropriate integration of Miswak as a complementary oral hygiene practice.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Miswak; domain of practice; dentistry; educator; Malaysia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Restorative Dentistry
Depositing User:	Dr Muhd Firdaus bin Che Musa
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2026 12:02
Last Update:	26 Aug 2026 12:02
Queue Number:	2026-08-Q4917
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131013

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