The Knowledge of Dental Caries amongst Medical Practitioners in Benin City

Abstract

Background: Dentists are few and dental awareness in most developing countries is poor. Medical practitioners being the first point of call for most patients with oral complaints; are in the vantage position to identify oral diseases and give prompt referral.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of dental caries amongst medical practitioners in Benin City, Edo State.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey of general medical practitioners in three government hospitals in Benin City. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge of the causes, risk factors, clinical features and prevention of dental caries.

Results: Eighty questionnaires were filled and returned. Nearly all the respondents 97.5% have been consulted by patients with oral complaints; 67.5% carried out oral examinations while 97.5% have referred patients with oral complaints. 20% of the respondents choose tooth surface, 83.8% frequency of sugar consumption and 51.3% plaque as causes of dental caries. 52.5% of the respondents selected reduced saliva; 58.8% Diabetes mellitus; 28.8% radiotherapy while 26.3% selected medications as risk factors in dental caries. 95.0% selected use of fluoride toothpaste; 72.5% avoiding sugary foods/drinks; and 83.8% regular dental checkups as means of preventing dental caries. Only 9.7% of respondents had a good knowledge of dental caries. The knowledge of dental caries amongst medical practitioners was poor.

Conclusion: Oral health should be inclusive in the curricula of both undergraduate medical students and resident doctors especially those in general medical practices, family medicine and the accident and emergency department.

Keywords: Dental  caries,  knowledge, medical practitioners