MOLAR HYPOMIN AWARENESS

One of the major challenges in advancing care of children with Molar Hypomin (MH) has been poor problem-awareness among dental practitioners and policymakers, let alone other healthcarers and the public (see the Molar Hypomin Problem). In 2003, Weerheijm and Mejare conducted the first academic appraisal of MH awareness by surveying member countries of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Since then, at least 65 similar MH-awareness surveys have been published covering seven stakeholder groups within 41 countries or territories across 6 continents (see bibliography below).

MH Awareness Survey graph and location map

Our graph (above) shows the survey publication rate remained slow from 2003 until 2016 when it increased markedly with apparent peaks in 2022 in 2025 (note 2026 is up to September only). That this profile contrasts with the steady increase of MH publications over the same period (graph) implies something has triggered recent interest in awareness surveys – time will tell whether the COVID pandemic influenced this pattern. The accompanying map locates about half of surveyed countries to Europe and the Middle East, with additional reports from the Americas, Asia and Down Under. This distribution loosely matches our maps for MH prevalence studies and D3G membership.

Remarkably, most surveys since 2003 have maintained a relatively narrow focus on hypomineralised 6-year molars and incisors ("MIH"). Recent exceptions include a study of enamel defects more generally (Masri, 2021) and four others that addressed 2-year molars (Humphreys 2021, McCara 2023, Costa 2023, Bardellini, 2024). We hope that crucial awareness of MH in the primary dentition and broader understanding relating to prevention and aetiology will be addressed more strongly in future.

In general terms, MH awareness has been found to vary markedly between studies and across the seven respondent groups – namely dental students, oral health professionals (therapists, hygienists, nurses), general dentists, paediatric specialists, other dental specialists, public health practitioners, and other child-health professionals and parents. However, the need for stronger education and training was a consistent finding across the surveyed groups.

We're intrigued the post-2016 surge in MH-awareness surveys coincides with D3G's internationalisation (cf. this website & Chalky Teeth Campaign launched in 2013) yet diverges from our broader preventive focus on MH in both dentitions (2017-). Regardless, these survey studies certainly do support our characterisation of MH and chalky teeth as a 3-level problem, in which a widespread lack of problem-awareness (aka "ignorance") remains both a central yet addressable concern.

Clearly, the surge in awareness surveys identified here (graph) is just one proxy indicator for increased awareness of the MH problem across the broader sector. Click here to learn more about the global groundswell of cross-sector awareness surrounding D3G's translational paradigm for MH and chalky teeth.

MH-AWARENESS SURVEY REPORTS, 2003–

NB: Authors – please advise us of new studies suitable for inclusion here.

2026

  • Areias CMFGP, Campo-Grande CIR, Furtado LMFR, Norton APMAP, Pereira MLL, Serna-Muñoz C. Knowledge and treatment strategies for molar incisor hypomineralization among Portuguese dentists: a cross-sectional study. Pesqui Bras Odontopediatria Clin Integr. 2027;27:e250035. Open access
  • Armas-Vega A, Parise-Vasco JM, Angamarca-Iguago J, Cagua-Ordoñez JC, Reytor-González C, Ribadeneira-Morales J, Rösing CK, Noal F, Simancas-Racines D. Perception, knowledge and attitudes of Ecuadorian dentists towards patients with molar incisor hypomineralization. Front Oral Health. 2026;7:1789741. PMID: 42339505
  • Baraka M, Sabbagh H, Al-Batayneh O, Fernández-Grisales R, Khan MA, Yousaf MA, Chompu-inwai P, Karapinar Kazandag M, Kuvvetli SS, Arcari S, Caruso S, Al-Rai S, Sennain S, Sugumaran S, Ramlan NA, Dama MAS, Alqadi A, Barry MJ, Fontana M, Moursi A, Taha N. Global survey of dentists’ knowledge, diagnostic confidence, and management of molar incisor hypomineralization. J Am Dent Assoc. 2026. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42340279
  • Gomes TA, Jorge RC, Soviero VM. Management of molar incisor hypomineralization under the Brazilian Unified Health System. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2026 Aug 5. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42557691
  • Lim SWL, Tengku Hamzah TNN, Dziaruddin N, Maling TH, Mohd Nor NA. Current perspectives on molar incisor hypomineralisation among dental therapists in Malaysia. Int J Dent Hyg. 2026 Apr 19. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42002839
  • Pion LA, Figueiredo RST, Denadai AAO, Hesse D, Faraoni JJ, Quero IB, Palma-Dibb RG. Knowledge of enamel developmental defects amongst Brazilian dentists and dental students: a cross-sectional survey. Oral. 2026;6:123. Open access
  • Savas S, Çıtak AK, Korkmaz D, Akkaya MA, Izgi EK, Akcay M. Assessment of the knowledge and awareness levels of final-year dental students regarding molar incisor hypomineralization: a cross-sectional study. Int Arc Dent Sci. 2026;47(2):121-132. Open access
  • Tagelsir Ahmed A, Allareddy V, Avenetti D, Cunha-Cruz J, Gilbert GH. Current perspectives on management approaches for molar incisor hypomineralization: preliminary findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2026;50(1):301-306. PMID: 41783609

2025

  • Alqadi A, Mohaidat D, Taha NA. Parental knowledge and perception of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH). Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Dec 15. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41396247
  • Alshamrani KK. Knowledge and practice of molar incisor hypomineralization among dental professionals in Najran Province, Saudi Arabia. World J Dent. 2025;16(10):921-928. Open access
  • Ciocan B, Petcu LC, Luca R. Romanian dentists’ perceptions on molar incisor hypomineralization: a questionnaire-based study. Children (Basel). 2025;12(6):680. PMID: 40564638
  • Hilal Öİ, Arif B. Knowledge, awareness and attitudes among a group of Turkish dental students regarding molar incisor hypomineralization: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2025;25(1):14. PMID: 39754180
  • Hussein A, Bataineh M, Khader Y, Al-Batayneh O. Knowledge, and treatment of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among dentists in Jordan: a cross-sectional questionnaire based study. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025;26(2):247-254. PMID: 39476170
  • Kim K, Kim S, Choi N. Awareness and educational needs regarding molar-incisor hypomineralization at Chonnam University School of Dentistry. J Korean Acad Pediatr Dent. 2025;52(4):464-482. Open access
  • Lim SWL, Tengku Hamzah TNN, Dziaruddin N, Maling TH, Mohd Nor NA. Evaluation of a virtual training module on molar incisor hypomineralisation among Malaysian dental therapists. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Dec 10. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41366537
  • Marquillier T, Szönyi V, Mwenge-Wambel J, Dursun E, Grosgogeat B. Dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH): a French survey. Cureus. 2025;17:e78943. Open access
  • Martins TGO, Carvalho NO, Rocha CT, Neves BG. Knowledge and perception of Brazilian dental students about molar-incisor hypomineralization. Pesqui Bras Odontopediatria Clin Integr. 2025;25:e240065. Open access
  • McConville B, Harnett J, Dave M, Barry S. Evaluating diagnostic and treatment proficiency for molar-incisal hypomineralisation in UK paediatric postgraduate dental education: a prospective cross-sectional study. Br Dent J. 2025 Dec 5. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41350929
  • Ostermann C, Splieth C, Alkilzy M. Knowledge, assessment and treatment of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among German dentists. Clin Oral Investig. 2025;29(3):171. PMID: 40050549
  • Papanikolaou F, Hesse D, Manton DJ, Bruers JJ, Garot E, Bonifácio CC. Knowledge and management of molar-incisor hypomineralisation amongst dentists in The Netherlands. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2025;35(1):22-32. PMID: 38659160
  • Salva Saldaña BS, Soares LFF, Tagliaferro EPS, Jeremias F. Clinical experience and knowledge of dental hypomineralization by pediatricians and speech therapists. Cuad Educ Desarr. 2025;17(1):1-17. Open access
  • Soğukpınar Önsüren A. Exploring Turkish pediatric dentists’ perspectives: knowledge, attitudes and clinical practice regarding molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2025;49(2):161-177. Open access
  • Tagelsir Ahmed A, Kratunova E, Dean JA, Wright T, Khader Y, Alrayyes S. Perspectives of US pediatric dentistry faculty on the clinical management of molar hypomineralization. J Am Dent Assoc. 2025 Nov 3. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41186542

2024

  • Abushoufa N. Dentists’ knowledge and management strategies towards molar-incisor-hypomineralization in Tripoli. Alq J Med App Sci. 2024;7(4):1493-1502. Open access
  • Bardellini E, Conti G, Veneri F, Majorana A, Amadori F. Awareness of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPMs) among northern Italian dentists: a questionnaire survey. Dent J (Basel). 2024;12(8):271. PMID: 39195115
  • da Costa Rosa T, Spinelli LR, da Silva FMF, de Castro Costa M, de Almeida Neves A. Perceptions, attitudes, and clinical experiences of Brazilian dental practitioners towards molar incisor hypomineralisation: a cross-sectional study. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2024;25(6):855-868. PMID: 39266901
  • Hilal Öİ, Arif B. Knowledge, awareness and attitudes among a group of Turkish dental students regarding molar incisor hypomineralization: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2025; 25(1):14. PMID: 39754180
  • Tynior W, Pietraszewska D, Truszkowska M, Ilczuk-Rypuła D. Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Survey of Dental Students from Polish Medical Universities. Pediatr Rep. 2024; 16(4):1014-1021. PMID: 39585040
  • Hussein A, Bataineh M, Khader Y, Al-Batayneh O. Knowledge, and treatment of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among dentists in Jordan: a cross-sectional questionnaire based study. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2024. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39476170
  • da Costa Rosa T, Spinelli LR, da Silva FMF, de Castro Costa M, de Almeida Neves A. Perceptions, attitudes, and clinical experiences of Brazilian dental practitioners towards molar incisor hypomineralisation: a cross-sectional study. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2024; 25(6):855-868. PMID: 39266901
  • Bardellini E, Conti G, Veneri F, Majorana A, Amadori F. Awareness of Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) and Hypomineralised Second Primary Molars (HSPMs) among Northern Italian Dentists: A Questionnaire Survey. Dent J (Basel). 2024; 12(8):271. PMID: 39195115
  • Tarazona-Valero V, Almerich-Silla JM, Iranzo-Cortés JE, Ortolá-Siscar JC, Almerich-Torres T. Knowledge and perception regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation among dental students and dental hygienist students in Spain: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24(1):300. PMID: 38431602

2023

  • Tarhuni H, Benghasheer HF, Naser Y, Arheiam A. Molar incisor hypomineralisation: A survey of awareness and management strategies among Libyan dentists in Benghazi. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2024; 34(5):554-566. PMID: 38200629
  • Hamza B, Karkoutly M, Papageorgiou SN, Bshara N. Molar-incisor hypomineralisation: Knowledge and perception of Syrian undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. Eur J Dent Educ. 2023; 27(2):343-352. PMID: 35543303

  • Gunay A. Knowledge and Attitudes of a Group of Dental Students in Turkey About Molar Incisor Hypomineralization. Med Sci Monit. 2023; 29:e941824. PMID: 3785944

  • Gómez-Clavel JF, Sánchez-Cruz FY, Santillán-Carlos XP, Nieto-Sánchez MP, Vidal-Gutiérrez X, Pineda ÁEG. Knowledge, experience, and perception of molar incisor hypomineralisation among dentists in the metropolitan area of Mexico City: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2023; 23(1):1018. PMID: 38114978

2022

  • Yehia AM, Abdelaziz AM, Badran A. "Knowledge, clinical experience, and perceived need for training regarding molar-incisor hypomineralization among a group of Egyptian dental students: a cross-sectional study". BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22(1):323. PMID: 35918670

  • Seremidi K, Amend S, Krämer N, Gizani S. A cross-sectional survey on knowledge and attitudes of Greek dentists regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation diagnosis and treatment. BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22(1):498. PMID: 36384488

  • Humphreys J, Morgan E, Clayton S, Jarad F, Harris R, Albadri S. Molar-incisor hypomineralisation combat: exploratory qualitative interviews with general dental practitioners in England regarding the management of children with molar-incisor hypomineralisation. Br Dent J. 2022; Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35618918

  • Delgado RM, Botelho J, Machado V, Mendes JJ, Lopes LB. Knowledge, perception, and clinical experiences on molar incisor hypomineralization amongst Portuguese dentists. BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22(1):250. PMID: 35733162

  • Dian E, Budiardjo SB, Ghanim A, Amir LR, Maharani DA. Knowledge and Perceptions of Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation among General Dental Practitioners, Paediatric Dentists, and Other Dental Specialists in Indonesia. Dent J (Basel). 2022; 10(10):190. PMID: 36286000

  • Dian E, Amir, LA, Maharani, DA. Knowledge and Perceptions on Molar Incisor Hypomineralization among Dental Students in Indonesia (2022) Journal of International Dental and Medical Research 15(1):243-249. Open access

  • Karkoutly M, Hamza B, Al Batal S, Al Barazi A, Bshara N. Knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and clinical experiences on molar incisor hypomineralization among Syrian pediatric dentists and general dental practitioners: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22(1):561. PMID: 36456977

  • Liu Y, He M. A survey on knowledge and attitudes towards molar-incisor hypomineralization among undergraduate and postgraduate students at the School of Stomatology, Wuhan University. BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22(1):19. PMID: 35081946

  • Negrescu J, Kodra L, Ziada H, Al-Talib T, Abubakr NH. Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: Awareness among Postdoctoral Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Dent J (Basel). 2022; 10(4):64. PMID: 35448058

  • Shalaby MS, El-Shahawy OI, Alaa E, El-Shiekh MA. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of molar-incisor hypomineralisation among a group of Egyptian dentists (observational cross-sectional study). Future Dental Journal. 2022;8(1):29-35. Open access

2021

  • Elhennawy K, Anang M, Splieth C, Bekes K, Manton DJ, Hedar Z, Krois J, Jost-Brinkmann PG, Schwendicke F. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) amongst German dental students. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2021; 31(4):486-495. PMID: 32813919

  • Hamza B, Elhennawy K, van Waes H, Papageorgiou SN. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation amongst Swiss dental students. BMC Oral Health. 2021; 21(1):548. PMID: 34702223

  • Masri AABHA, Khang KKY, Shen LLW, Ekambaram M, Loch C. Knowledge of dental enamel defects amongst undergraduate dental students-a cross-sectional survey. Eur J Dent Educ. 2021; 25(4):711-716. PMID: 33369838

  • Bekes K, Melichar K, Stamm T, Elhennawy K. Dental Students' Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): A Survey in Vienna, Austria. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2021;14:2881-2889. PMID: 34675536

  • Skaare AB, Houlihan C, Nybø CJ, Brusevold IJ. Knowledge, experience and perception regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among dentists and dental hygienists in Oslo, Norway. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2021; 22(5):851-860. PMID: 34386932

  • Yehia, A.M., Abdelaziz, A.M. & Badran, A. Knowledge, perceptions, and clinical experience regarding Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization among a group of general dental practitioners, pediatric dentists, and other dental specialists in Egypt: a cross-sectional study. Bull Natl Res Cent 45, 206 (2021). Open access

2020

  • Serna-Muñoz C, Martínez-Beneyto Y, Pérez-Silva A, Poza-Pascual A, Ibáñez-López FJ, Ortiz-Ruiz AJ. Perception, knowledge, and attitudes towards molar incisor hypomineralization among Spanish dentists: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2020; 20(1):260. PMID: 32948160

  • Wall A, Leith R. A questionnaire study on perception and clinical management of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) by Irish dentists. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2020; 21(6):703-710. PMID: 32185633

2018

  • Tagelsir A, Dean JA, Eckert GJ, Martinez-Mier EA. U.S. Pediatric Dentists' Perception of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization. Pediatr Dent. 2018; 40(4):272-278. PMID: 30345966

  • Gamboa GCS, Lee GHM, Ekambaram M, Yiu CKY. Knowledge, perceptions, and clinical experiences on molar incisor hypomineralization among dental care providers in Hong Kong. BMC Oral Health. 2018; 18(1):217. PMID: 30545337

  • Alanzi A, Faridoun A, Kavvadia K, Ghanim A. Dentists' perception, knowledge, and clinical management of molar-incisor-hypomineralisation in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2018; 18(1):34. PMID: 29514684

2016

  • Gambetta-Tessini K, Mariño R, Ghanim A, Calache H, Manton DJ. Knowledge, experience and perceptions regarding Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) amongst Australian and Chilean public oral health care practitioners. BMC Oral Health. 2016; 16(1):75. PMID: 27539252

  • Silva MJ, Alhowaish L, Ghanim A, Manton DJ. Knowledge and attitudes regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation amongst Saudi Arabian dental practitioners and dental students. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2016; 17(4):215-22. PMID: 27172776

  • Kalkani M, Balmer RC, Homer RM, Day PF, Duggal MS. Molar incisor hypomineralisation: experience and perceived challenges among dentists specialising in paediatric dentistry and a group of general dental practitioners in the UK. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2016; 17(2):81-8. PMID: 26613718

  • Kopperud SE, Pedersen CG, Espelid I. Treatment decisions on Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) by Norwegian dentists - a questionnaire study. BMC Oral Health. 2016; 17(1):3. PMID: 27430640

2014

  • Hussein AS, Ghanim AM, Abu-Hassan MI, Manton DJ. Knowledge, management and perceived barriers to treatment of molar-incisor hypomineralisation in general dental practitioners and dental nurses in Malaysia. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2014; 15(5):301-7. PMID: 24569938

2011

  • Ghanim A, Morgan M, Mariño R, Manton D, Bailey D. Perception of molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) by Iraqi dental academics. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2011; 21(4):261-70. PMID: 21332851

2008

  • Crombie FA, Manton DJ, Weerheijm KL, Kilpatrick NM. Molar incisor hypomineralization: a survey of members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry. Aust Dent J. 2008; 53(2):160-6. PMID: 18494972

2003

  • Weerheijm KL, Mejàre I. Molar incisor hypomineralization: a questionnaire inventory of its occurrence in member countries of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD). Int J Paediatr Dent. 2003; 13(6):411-6. PMID: 14984047