Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15644/asc60/3/5
Knowledge and Awareness of Dental Erosion among Croatian Certified Wine Assessors
Ivana Alpeza
orcid.org/0000-0003-0278-3312
; Croatian Agency of Agriculture and Food, Centre for Viticulture, Enology and Edible oils, Gorice 68b, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Ivan Bedek
; Private Dental Clinic, Zatišje 6/1, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Čuković-Bagić
; University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Zagreb, Croatia; University Dental Clinic, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dental erosion, its
etiology and preventive practices among certified Croatian wine assessors. Participants and Methods: An anonymous questionnaire structured in two sections was completed by 90 certified Croatian wine assessors, representing more than 80% of active certified assessors in Croatia. The first section covered demographic and professional data, including age, years of professional experience, frequency of wine tasting and habits related to tasting. The second section evaluated participants’
knowledge regarding etiology, prevention and therapy pertaining to dental erosion. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and standard statistical tests commonly applied in questionnairebased studies. Results: Although the majority of participants visited the dentist regularly, only twothirds noted that their dentist knew their occupation. Wine assessors’ knowledge of dental erosion was not typically associated with dentists’ awareness of their occupation. While merely 23% of participants learned about dental erosion from their dentists, 45% acquired this knowledge from other
sources. Although 67% of respondents had heard of dental erosion, their factual knowledge was limited. A total of 69% of participants reported no specific oral care practices before or after wine tasting; observable habits were not related to their professional experience. Conclusion: Awareness of dental erosion among Croatian wine assessors proved insufficient. An appropriate form of education, especially one provided by dentists, is required to emphasize the risks and outline the potential for prevention and treatment of dental erosion.
Keywords
Tooth Erosion; Primary Prevention; Wine; Taste Perception; Professional Practice; Dental erosion; Wine tasting; Professional assessors
Hrčak ID:
351113
URI
Publication date:
20.9.2026.
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