Knowledge and attitude of pediatricians and Family Physicians in Chennai on Pediatric Dentistry: A survey

Knowledge and Interdisciplinary Communication of Gastroenterologists and Dentists in the Netherlands About Gastrointestinal Diseases With Oral Manifestations

Background

Gastrointestinal diseases can have oral manifestations. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of gastroenterologists and dentists about gastrointestinal diseases with oral manifestations and to assess the frequency, extent and content of communication between gastroenterologists and oral healthcare professionals.

Methods

Separate questionnaires were developed and sent to all 523 gastroenterologists and a random selection of 500 dentists in the Netherlands. Both questionnaires contained questions about demographic characteristics of the participants, 10 statements about gastrointestinal diseases with possible oral manifestations and questions about the communication between gastroenterologists and oral healthcare professionals. Additionally, the questionnaire for gastroenterologists contained 9 statements about general dentistry and the questionnaire for dentist had 9 questions about gastrointestinal diseases.

Results

Gastroenterologists answered 47.6% ± 31.9% of the questions correct about gastrointestinal diseases with possible oral manifestations and 57.5% ± 27.9% of the questions correct about general dentistry. Dentists answered 26.6% ± 20.5% of the questions correct about possible oral manifestations of gastrointestinal diseases and 50.3% ± 18.7% of the questions correct about gastrointestinal diseases. Gastroenterologists and dentists valued interdisciplinary consultation as very useful with scores of 4.07 ± 0.70 and 4.67 ± 0.49 on a 5-point Likert scale, respectively, but the frequency of consultation was considered insufficiently with a mean score of 2.88 ± 1.01 and 2.24 ± 1.05 on a 5-point Likert scale, respectively.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the knowledge of gastroenterologists and dentists about gastrointestinal diseases with oral manifestations could be improved. Interdisciplinary consultation was considered valuable for the optimal treatment of their patients but was assessed as insufficient.

Should dentistry be a specialty of medicine? Two viewpoints

Dentistry and dental education are well-established domains with deep-rooted institutions, educational programs, organizational structures, and advanced specialty fields. Almost 100 years ago, Dr. William Gies, founder of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, stated that to best serve the oral health needs of the population, dentistry should be considered a specialty of medicine, and dental students should have the same solid foundation in the basic and clinical sciences as medical students. More recently, the report on "Advancing Dental Education in the 21st Century" recommends an increase in the integration of dental and medical education as a means to address 2 of its key challenges: "shrinking demand for dental services" and "shifting practice environment." However, it has also been argued that making dentistry and dental education a subspecialty of medicine and medical education will create logistical, structural, regulatory, and financial dilemmas. Instead of a drastic change to current dental educational, organizational, and institutional models, some argue a contemporary approach to dental education is required to ensure dentists are well prepared to address the healthcare needs of the population and future healthcare delivery systems and practice models. Recognizing the need for change in dental education to keep pace with changes in patient demographics and healthcare systems, the dental profession has the responsibility and opportunity to develop new models and paradigms that improve educational and clinical outcomes in our educational programs and future practice.

The role of the pediatricians in dental caries prevention in Montenegro: The knowledge, attitude and practice

Background/Aim: Dental caries is the most common chronic disease affecting children worldwide today and represents a serious public health problem. Since pediatricians are the first health professionals whom children visit, they can be considered as a reliable source of information regarding the recognition of potential health problems and suggesting their solution, so they have a key role in primary health prevention. The aim of this study is to determine the position of pediatricians in the prevention of oral health of children in Montenegro through the assessment of their knowledge, attitude, and practice of primary professional preventive measures. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among the 84 pediatricians employed in Montenegro Community health services. Self-addressed reply envelope survey consisted questionnaire of 60 questions divided into 5 modules, was used as an instrument for the research. Results: Response rate was 86%, while 68,3% pediatricians think that gender is a risk factor for dental caries. Fact that cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted from the mother was confirmed by 69% of respondents. Only 45% of them practice the current guidelines on the recommendation of the first dental examination up to 12 months of life. Conclusions: It can be concluded that pediatricians in Montenegro have positive attitudes about prevention and believe they have the responsibility to prevent caries but have shown insufficient knowledge about caries and risk factors for the oral diseases.

Pediatricians' view on early childhood caries and oral health in a north region of India: A cross-sectional study

Background:

The majority of oral diseases in children are preventable. The pediatricians owing to the unique position they occupy in child care are invaluable in achieving standard oral and dental healthcare in children. This study was aimed to assess pediatrician's knowledge, attitude, and awareness toward early childhood caries (ECC), oral health, and treatment needs of their patients.

Methods:

A total of 65 pediatricians were randomly selected for the study and were requested to fill out an objective questionnaire pertaining to individual details, approach toward pediatric dentistry, and knowledge level of oral health, without providing any oral health information.

Results:

About 58.5% of pediatricians acknowledged the importance of pediatric dentistry. About 72.7% of pediatricians perform oral examination regularly. Around 17% of pediatricians have knowledge of the ECC. Only 32.3% of pediatricians acknowledged the cariogenicity of medicated syrups.

Conclusion:

This study shows those pediatricians who were surveyed had poor knowledge regarding ECC, oral health, and dental treatment need in children. Pediatricians need to update themselves on recent recommendations.

Family physicians' knowledge and awareness regarding oral health: A survey

INTRODUCTION

Oral health is an important component of general health. The World Health Organization has highly recommended the integration of oral health promotion into general health care. In majority of the cases, patients visit their physicians with simultaneous oral and systemic complaints, and primary oral complaints are more frequently encountered. Therefore, primary care physicians can play an expanded role within oral health care to raise the overall health of the patients.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of family physicians regarding oral health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An observational (cross-sectional) study was conducted among 250 family physicians who are practicing in Tricity. A self-structured questionnaire (close-ended) prepared by a panel of oral health experts in English language (close-ended) was administered to the study participants. The questionnaire which was divided into two parts, A and B, contained 15 questions on knowledge and awareness regarding oral health. Categorization of knowledge scores was done at three levels: low, medium, and high. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Males comprised 72.8% (182) of the study population and 55.2% (138) of the participants were doing combined practice (academic and private both). Low knowledge scores were reported in 47.2% (118) of the participants whereas only 22.4% (56) of participants had a high score. The mean knowledge score according to educational level and working profile was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study showed a considerable lack of knowledge among family physicians regarding connection of oral health with general health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase their knowledge by various continued medical education and training programs.

Awareness of Lebanese Pediatricians regarding Children's Oral Health

Pediatricians have an important role in early identification and prevention of oral health, but they reported lack of knowledge in this field.

Cross-sectional evaluation of awareness of prevention of dental caries among general pediatricians in ghaziabad district, India

BACKGROUND

Oral diseases are largely preventable and it is hoped that with the early exposure to oral health-care activities, the prevalence of oral diseases will be reduced in children and they would be more receptive to dental services.

AIM

The present study evaluated the awareness of prevention of dental caries among pediatricians in Ghaziabad district, India.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among the pediatricians in Ghaziabad district, India. Total subjects including in the survey were 88 pediatricians, through systemic random sampling. Both the gender was including Male-37.8% (35/88) and Female-62.2% (53/88). Pre-tested, structured and self administered questionnaire was used in the survey and data analysis was done by using 'SPSS' software version 16.0 (IBM, United States).

RESULTS

Our study indicated that most of the pediatricians in Ghaziabad district had moderate knowledge 39.7% (35/88), followed by good knowledge 36.5% (32/88) and poor knowledge 23.8% (21/88) about dental caries. Practice guidelines and opinions of pediatricians in the survey were moderate 64.7% (57/88) in about more than half, followed by poor 23.8% (21/88) and followed by good 11.5% (10/88). The attitude for prevention of dental caries was positive in almost everybody 81.8% (72/88).

CONCLUSION

The present survey concluded that pediatricians in Ghaziabad district, India had a good attitude and practices, but had moderate knowledge and lacked proper awareness about dental caries.