Dentists' Awareness about the Link between Oral and Systemic Health
Main Article Content
Keywords
Oral care, oral health, dental professionals, systemic health
Abstract
Oral health is essential for overall wellness. Increasing research suggests a connection between periodontal and systemic disorders. The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge among dentists on the correlation between oral health and overall systemic health.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data was obtained through the use of a self-administered questionnaire that had been tested in a preliminary trial. The level of dentists' understanding regarding the connection between oral health and systemic health was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale. The data was inputted and analyzed using SPSS.
RESULTS: Out of the total of 588 dentists, 500 dentists successfully filled out the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 85.03%. 93% of the subjects, with a mean age of 25.82 ± 4.21 years, expressed agreement with the correlation between dental health and systemic health. A majority of dentists (84.4%) were cognizant of the correlation between periodontal disease and diabetes, whereas a significant proportion (70.2%) recognized the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Similarly, 85.6% of respondents held the belief that oral disease had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of patients. A significantly higher proportion of female dentists than male dentists demonstrated awareness of the association between periodontal disease and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis (P < 0.001). An overwhelming majority of dentists (97%) held the belief that increased patient awareness of the oral-systemic relationship will lead to a higher demand for dental care. Following adjustments, private dentists exhibited a 4.65-fold higher likelihood compared to public dentists in their belief that enhancing access to oral care might be achieved by increasing patient understanding of the oral-systemic relationship (P = 0.011).
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of dentists were knowledgeable of the connection between oral health and systemic health. Their belief was that patients' access to oral care would be enhanced if they were informed about the correlation between oral and systemic health. Hence, it is imperative to educate patients about the connection between oral and systemic health in order to enhance their oral well-being
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