Objective: To evaluate the awareness of orthodontic problems and referral practices among general dental practitioners and non-orthodontic specialists practicing in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Cross-sectional prospective study included general dentists and specialists/consultants of both genders, aged between 22-60 years, practicing General dentistry and as specialist other than orthodontics for 2 or more years. Non-practicing dentists and non-registered dentists were excluded. Data was analysed on SPSS version 21.00. Results: Results revealed that males were 55.5% and general dental practitioners were 44%. It is evident that 53.5% (107) GDPs and 33% (66) non orthodontic specialists practiced orthodontic referral in their practices. Cross-tabulation of variables compared with gender and general dental practitioners and non-orthodontic specialists, using chi-square test, revealed significant p-value of orthodontist referral, but recommendation of orthodontic treatment only after the eruption of all permanent teeth, awareness of tooth extraction for alignment of irregular teeth, and awareness regarding worsening of TMJ problems by orthodontic treatment. Conclusion: It has been concluded that the referral practices of dentists practicing in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, concerning orthodontic patients, were satisfactory, although awareness regarding orthodontic problem requires unremitting learning and considerate positive progression towards basic orthodontics.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.