Knowledge and attitude of dental surgeons about ocular complications due to dental infection

Abstract

Background:Ocular complications such as ophthalmia, defective vision, orbital cellulitis, and blindness (temporary or permanent) are rare complications due to dental infection. Currently, there is lack of guidelines in preventing and managing ocular problems. Hence, we assessed the dentist's knowledge and attitudes about ocular complications due to dental infection.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional prospective survey selecting practicing dentists or academicians was carried out through e-mail using a standardized self-administered questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage).Results:Only 25% participants knew about ocular complications due to dental infection. Journals and internet were the key sources of information among dentists. Majority of participants responded that ocular complications are underreported in the literature. Large proportion (90%) of the participants advocated research on ocular complications due to dental infection. Many participants indicated the prevention of ocular complications.Conclusion:In our observation, dentist's knowledge about ocular complications due to dental infection was poor, and the awareness and practice of taking preventive measures were satisfactory. There is need for providing adequate information about ocular problems in the curriculum of dentistry. Dentists should be trained about prevention and initial management of ocular complications due to dental infection through special educations such as continuing dental educations, workshops, and symposium.

An Evaluation of Practitioner’s Understanding of the Relationship Between Eye and Dental Health

“…Periodontal disease has a different pathophysiology and microbes than endodontic inflammation; in particular, the dysbiosis linked to periodontitis triggers a potent and immediate immune response, whereas the dysbiosis linked to caries encourages demineralization through acidogenic and aciduric mechanisms (Lee et al, 2013). Only 24.2% of participants in the research conducted by Prahalad Husingi were aware of the occurrences of ocular issues owing to oral infection, while 45.7% were uninformed of such difficulties (Hunsigi et al, 2016). In this survey, just 34.40% of dentists were aware that poor dental health and eye health are related, whereas 60 % of dentists were not.…”

“…Researchers have discovered that your entire dental health, including the condition of your teeth and gums, may significantly impair your ability to see (Shaju et al, 2011;Chandra et al, 2016). According to those studies, tooth decay, gum disease, and p.64 teeth with old mercury fillings are the most common dental issues that affect the eyes (Hunsigi et al, 2016).…”

Potential relationship between eye and oral diseases

“…The relationship between infected teeth and eye diseases has been known for some time, several centuries ago, as early as 1817 where a case of contraction of the visual field was managed by the extraction of carious tooth, many cases of defective vision were effectually relieved by removal of pathological conditions discovered in the mouth 2 .…”