Knowledge, attitude and practice assessment of dental professionals towards diabetes : a cross sectional study

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Original Article

Author Details : Kritika Saxena, Manisha Lakhanpal Sharma, Bhuvana Vijay, Manu Dhillon

Volume : 4, Issue : 2, Year : 2016

Article Page : 113-118

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Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes and its acute complications have become a significant health hazard worldwide, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. To date, there is no data on the awareness of dental professionals regarding the management of diabetic patients.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of dental professionals in India regarding the clinical manifestations and management of diabetic patients.
Material and Methods: The study was cross – sectional, comprising of 100 dental professionals, including dental graduates, post graduates, faculty members of dental colleges and private practitioners from the Delhi NCR region. Data was obtained by a self completion questionnaire which was pretested by conducting a pilot study, comprising of a fourteen item questionnaire aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of dental fraternity regarding the manifestations and management of diabetic patients. In the questionnaire, nine questions aimed at assessing the knowledge, two questions assessed the attitude and three were for practice assessment.
Results: The results showed a clear cut knowledge deficit amongst dental fraternity regarding the manifestations and management of diabetics in dental practice.
Conclusion: The present study showed low level of awareness of dental fraternity regarding diabetes. Therefore, designing strong curriculum resources for oral health care providers, in order to enhance their awareness towards diabetes is the need of the hour.

Keywords: Dentists, Awareness, Oral Manifestations, Diabetes Mellitus, Dental Education

How to cite : Saxena K, Sharma M L, Vijay B, Dhillon M, Knowledge, attitude and practice assessment of dental professionals towards diabetes : a cross sectional study. J Dent Spec 2016;4(2):113-118

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