AWARENESS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETW`EEN THE PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND SYSTEMIC DISEASES AMONG MEDICAL PRACTICTIONERS: A RANDOMISED QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY.

Dr. SHWETHA .M; Dr. SHRUTHI .D. PRASAD; Dr. ANVITHA .D; Dr. VIJAYALAKSHMI .R; Dr. DEEPAK PRASAD; Dr. SHESHADRI .P; Dr. HEENA NAZ KAOUSER; Dr. PREETHI .S

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2016

AWARENESS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETW`EEN THE PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND SYSTEMIC DISEASES AMONG MEDICAL PRACTICTIONERS: A RANDOMISED QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY.

Dr. Shwetha . M, Dr. Shruthi . D. Prasad, Dr. Anvitha . D, Dr. Vijayalakshmi . R, Dr. Deepak Prasad, Dr. Sheshadri . P, Dr. Heena Naz Kaouser, Dr. Preethi . S

Abstract :

BACKGROUND: The health of oral tissues is known to influence the systemic health and has been acknowledged throughout the history of humanity. General practitioners form a major group as primary health care providers and their awareness on the impact of periodontal diseases on the systemic health is of utmost importance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness on the relationship of periodontal diseases and systemic health among general medical practitioners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire survey was conducted among 220 randomly selected general practitioners in Mysore city, who were enquired about their awareness on the relationship between periodontal diseases and systemic health. Statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: 55% of doctors (121 out of 220) have good knowledge on the effects of periodontal diseases on systemic health and 71.4% of doctors make a fair level of referrals to the dentists. CONCLUSION: The medical practitioners working in corporate and Government hospitals in Mysore city have fair to good awareness about periodontal medicine. However, their referral system is not as good as their level of awareness. Medical practitioners who have been practicing for less than 10 years have better awareness than their counterparts.