Awareness regarding the systemic effects of periodontal disease among medical interns in India

Abstract

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.

Awareness of the Relationship between Systemic and Periodontal Diseases among Physicians and Dentists in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: Cross-sectional Study

“…Despite this low awareness level, the majority of the participants knew that performing non-surgical periodontal treatment has an effect on reducing systemic inflammatory mediators which increased the probability and risk of developing CVDs. Our results are similar to the study by Gur and Majra (2011) [42] who reported that only 12%-16% of medical interns thought that PD may be a possible risk factor to develop CVD or cerebral infarction. However, our results are in contrast to other studies (Asa'ad et al, 2014, Quijano et al, 2010 who found that the majority of medical interns agreed that poor oral health may increase the risk of CVD.…”

“…There was a very low level of knowledge related to active PD possibly being a risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight. Our results are supported by Gur and Majra (2011) [42] but in contrast to Asa'ad, et al (2014) [36] who reported some awareness in medical interns. In contrast to our study, Cohen et al (2015) [40] in their study of obstetricians and/or gynecologists, found that majority had correct knowledge of the role of bacteria in periodontal diseases.…”

“…The findings related to physicians' awareness are similar to Asa'ad et al (2014) [36] who reported that only 10.0% of Saudi medical interns agreed that PD is more prevalent in patients with diabetes. In addition, 61.0% of medical interns in India did not know that PD is a risk factor for DM (Gur and Marga, 2011) [42]. In contrast, Quijano et al (2010) [43] found that almost all physicians interns' in their study agreed that PD is more prevalent in diabetic patients.…”

A Survey on General Physician's Knowledge and Behavior Towards the Relationship Between Periodontal Diseases and Systemic Health

“…As a result, medical physicians did not have sufficient knowledge about the systemic effects of periodontal disease. Therefore, medical and dental training was recommended (13).…”

“…ders such as coronary heart disease, (angina, myocardial infarction, and atherosclerosis) stroke, diabetes, premature birth (newborns with low birth weight), hospital pneumonia, and osteoporosis have been clearly demonstrated. Precise treatment of periodontal diseases has also been found to have positive effects on the management of these systemic conditions (11,13,(15)(16)(17). Several studies have investigated the knowledge of different groups of health care professionals about the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic conditions.…”