Awareness of patient’s orthodontic problems and referral practices among general dental practitioners and non-orthodontic specialists

Abstract

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.