Knowledge of orthodontics as a dental specialty: A preliminary survey among LASUCOM students

Abstract

Background:Awareness of malocclusion and the need to make corrections has increasingly becomes prevalent among our population. However, very few patients have presented in the orthodontic clinics with referrals from medical practitioners, an indication that the primary caregivers may be deficient in the knowledge of orthodontic practice.Objective:To assess the knowledge of orthodontics and the awareness of the effects of malocclusion on the general well-being, among medical students at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 85 medical students in the institution participated in the study. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi info version 3.5. Frequency counts were generated for all variables and measures of central tendency for numerical variables.Results:All participants were medical students. Majority (75.3%) were in their clinical years while 24.7% were in their preclinical years. Only 45.9% of the respondents had heard of the term “orthodontics” and only 20% correctly answered that orthodontics involves malocclusion and its management. Concerning the treatment procedures used in orthodontic clinics, 54.1% of them selected rearrangement of teeth. When asked to identify the appliances used in orthodontics, 49.4% selected dentures, 40% selected removable appliances, and 57.7% selected braces. Most of the respondents (81.2%) agreed that as medical doctors they would refer patients for orthodontic care, while 3.5% were undecided and 15.3% disagreed.Conclusion:The medical students surveyed had limited knowledge of orthodontics as a specialty and also knew very little about the impact of malocclusion on the well-being of the individual. They would, therefore, benefit from basic education in orthodontics to stimulate their interest in the specialty and improve their ability to refer patients appropriately.

Knowledge Skill and Attitude among fresh dental graduates about orthodontics

“…(AlShahrani, 2014) In Africa a study suggested basic orthodontic knowledge to undergraduate students to stimulate their interest in the field as well as to be aware of the correct timings for referral patients. (Adegbite, Ogunbanjo, Ajisafe, & Adeniyi, 2012) Interesting studies concerning the orthodontic treatment of pediatric patients have been carried out in Iran and Saudia Arabia which again had similar outcomes as previous studies. (Aldrees et al, 2015;Sajadi, Torabi, Poreslami, & Babei, 2016) One study performed in the UK however, had different results showing that undergraduates in the UK were well prepared in the field of orthodontics and felt confident enough to deal orthodontic emergencies.…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Medical Students on Orthodontics: A Cross Sectional Study

“…The purpose of the present study was to assess the level of orthodontic knowledge and awareness among the undergraduate medical students in Bharath Institute of higher Education & Research, Sree Balaji medical college & hospital. Although dental malocclusion in itself is neither a disease nor a life-threatening condition, but it has some significant impact on the physical, emotional and psychosocial health of the person [12] . People with severe malocclusions have more severe periodontal diseases, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and decreased masticatory load efficiency [13] .…”

Awareness of specialties of dentistry among medical trainees and teaching faculty of medical college in the central West India

“…In the study of Adegbite et al [14] involving medical trainees of the year second to sixth, only 45.9% of the trainees had heard about orthodontics. When they were asked to identify the appliances used in orthodontic treatment only 57.7% selected the braces.…”