Background:Medical curriculum does not provide required space for oral health; hence, many medical interns are unfamiliar with the oral cavity and oral health research.Aims:To study the level of awareness regarding systemic effects of periodontal disease among medical interns.Settings and design:A cross-sectional qualitative study recruiting medical interns from two medical institutions affiliated to two different universities in Southern India.Materials and Methods:Study was carried out in two medical institutions affiliated to two different universities in Southern India. A total of 143 interns participated in the study. Each participant was given a self-administered, pre-tested, multiple choice question–type questionnaire to solve on the spot. In order to summarise the awareness level, respondents were graded on a five-level scale as poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent.Statistical analysis used:Percentages, proportions.Results:A total of 67 respondents (47%) had fair; 60(42%), poor; and 18(11%), good level of awareness regarding the systemic effects of periodontal disease. Only 23(16%), 17(12%), 12(8%), 6(4%) and 4(3%) respondents were aware that the periodontal disease may be the possible risk factor for coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, diabetes mellitus, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and preterm labour (low birth-weight infants), respectively. Only 12 respondents (8%) would seek dentist's opinion for all patients with systemic diseases related to dental disease.Conclusions:Medical interns had inadequate awareness regarding the systemic effects of periodontal disease. Therefore, an integrated teaching of medical and dental sciences is recommended.
The WHO 2010 reported connection between oral wellbeing and general wellbeing, with common risk factors including poor diet, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. People who suffer from general health problems (diabetes, HIV) are more likelihood to have oral diseases (periodontal diseases) that, in turn, further complicate their overall health.Thus, oral health is an integral part of general wellbeing . One of the many barriers to quality oral healthcare includes a lack of attention to oral health by non-dental health care professionals (e.g., nurses, pharmacists). Nurses, being the primary health care provider to the patients, play an important role in health sector. Aside from dental professional, nurses are an integral part in health promotion and preventive information dissemination, therefore it is important that oral health knowledge should be good to decrease poor oral health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess oral health knowledge, attitude and oral hygiene practices among nursing student of Apollo School of Nursing , Mizoram.A Questionnaire study was conducted among 150 students of Apollo School of Nursing Mizoram. A self administered structured questionnaire containing oral hygiene knowledge and awareness, attitude and oral hygiene practices questions was distributed . Their response were analyzed and their knowledge and awareness, attitude and oral hygiene practice level(KAP) were evaluated. Statistical Analysis was done by calculating the mean of the KAP level (%) . The present study showed good oral hygiene practices and fair knowledge of oral health among nursing students of Apollo School of Nursing Mizoram
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