Dental Patients' Medical Information Disclosure and Sociodemographic Determinants: A Cross Sectional Study

To evaluate the patient's willingness to declare their medical history to their dentists against demographic and medical information.

A self-administered structured questionnaire regarding common chronic condition and pregnancy awareness and attitude toward medical information disclosure to their dentists was designed employing a five-point Likert-type scale. The questionnaire was distributed to among sample of adults. Data were collected and statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and P values.

A total of 573 questionnaires were completed. Only 61.3% were willing to share their medical history with the dentist and 76.1% will disclose previous complications of their condition in the dental office. Two third 71.9%of the sample will disclose about medications and 76.1% will disclose pregnancy month. There was lack of education regarding health conditions, 73.3% did not receive any information about their medications. While 72.8% did not receive any information regarding complications of their disease and 76.3% were not told what to do if complication arises.

The population's willingness to reveal their medical information in the dental office is crucial. Though was within acceptable limit but still deficient. Age, education, occupation and marital status have a significant effect on disclosing and awareness. Educating patients and raising their awareness may aid in reducing emergencies, errors, and legal issues in the dental office.