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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
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SELF-ASSESSED DENTAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE OF NIGERIAN DOCTORS
S O Nwhator1, C O Olojede, O Ijarogbe
1Department of Preventive Dentistry, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja-Nigeria.
East African Medical Journal
|February 10, 2016
Summary
Nigerian medical doctors showed poor knowledge of common dental diseases like caries and periodontitis. The study highlights a strong need for dental education in the Nigerian medical curriculum.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Education
- Oral Health
Background:
- Dental diseases pose significant public health challenges.
- Effective management of dental conditions requires a foundational understanding by healthcare professionals.
- Integrating dental education into medical curricula can improve overall patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the knowledge of common dental diseases among Nigerian medical doctors.
- To determine the perceived need for dental education within the undergraduate medical curriculum in Nigeria.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted.
- 127 medical doctors from tertiary hospitals in Nigeria participated.
- Knowledge of dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis was assessed using questionnaires.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of doctors demonstrated inadequate knowledge regarding the definition, etiology, and treatment of common dental diseases.
- Correct identification rates for disease definition, etiology, and treatment were notably low, especially for periodontitis.
- While knowledge was limited, 97% of respondents supported the inclusion of dental education in the medical curriculum.
Conclusions:
- Medical doctors in Nigeria exhibit insufficient knowledge of prevalent dental diseases.
- There is a strong consensus among medical practitioners for integrating dental education into undergraduate medical training.
- Enhancing dental knowledge among doctors is crucial for comprehensive healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
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