Attitude among private dental practitioners about periodontal probe usage (Williams Probe), awareness about Bacteremia due to probing : A cross sectional survey

DR.K.S. PREMKUMAR; DR.C.S. PRABHAHAR; DR.M. NAVARASU; DR.M. UMAYAL; DR.R.P. GOMATHI; DR.B. KARTHIGA

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

Attitude among private dental practitioners about periodontal probe usage (Williams Probe), awareness about Bacteremia due to probing : A cross sectional survey

Dr. K. S. Premkumar, Dr. C. S. Prabhahar, Dr. M. Navarasu, Dr. M. Umayal, Dr. R. P. Gomathi, Dr. B. Karthiga

Abstract :

Periodontitis is demarcated as an inflammatory disease of the associate tissues of the teeth caused by particular microorganisms or groups of specific microbes, causing progressive destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone with pocket formation, recession, or both. Periodontal infections should be diagnosed early. but early recognition by the general dental practitioners are practically very low and the condition needs to be improved much. Patient with untreated periodontitis are at a greater risk of bacteraemia due to periodontal probing, if not patient is under the cover of specific antibiotics. So, it has become mandatory to utilise appropriate instruments and prophylactic drugs in the management of systemic and periodontal health of patient. Aim and Objectives: To assess the attitude and practice of periodontal probe as diagnostic tool among the dental clinical practitioners and the awareness about risk of bacteraemia due to probing, South Tamil Nadu– A cross–sectional survey. Materials and Methods: A survey was undertaken from 200 registered general dentists in a questionnaire form. Questionnaire contains ten questions, distributed during the month of July to December 2018. Convenient sampling method was carried out. Results:76% of dentists were using dental explorer for diagnosis of periodontal diseases.10% of the dentists are using Williams probe for diagnosis of periodontal diseases. Only 5% of practioners were aware of the bacteraemia while probing and need to use of antibiotics. Conclusion: Lack of attitude and practice of periodontal probe usage for diagnosis of periodontal disease among dental practitioners in South Tamil Nadu.