Are People Aware of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in India?

Abstract

Introduction Maxillofacial surgery is one of the most rapidly expanding specialities in India. There is however a very poor understanding of the scope of the speciality. This paper attempts to find out the awareness of the speciality in India. Materials and methods A questionnaire was given to 50 medical, dental undergraduate students, 50 medical and dental practitioners, and 50 lay persons giving us a total of 250 responses. 10 common anomalies were chosen and they were asked to choose the most appropriate speciality which they would ask to treat the problem. Results While trauma and facial deformity correction were recognised to be mainly treated by maxillofacial surgeons, the other maxillofacial problems were poorly recognised to be treated by our speciality. Conclusion This study highlights the need to promote our speciality among the dentists, doctors and general public. and if need be even change the name of our speciality from oral and maxillofacial surgery to a more simple but more easily understood facial surgery.

Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Speciality of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Amongst Medical Consultants of Vadodara District in Gujarat State

“…In study done by Reddy et al [1] they found that all study groups were not clear about the scope of the specialty and its capabilities. All groups were aware that impactions, implants, trauma are treated by maxillofacial surgeons.…”

“…It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty. In some countries, including the United States, it is a recognized specialty of dentistry; in others, including the UK, it is recognized as a medical specialty [1].…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Medical Practitioners of Jazan City towards Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as a Specialty

“…The scope of the OMFS improved from simple surgical procedures such as dentoalveolar surgeries and basic maxillofacial trauma to more advanced procedures like management of pathologies of head and neck (both benign and malignant), bone grafting, craniofacial surgery, TMJ surgery, cleft lip and palate, facial deformities correction, aesthetic facial surgery, implant surgery, etc [ 1 ] [ 5 ]. Also, OMFS deals with non - surgical difficulties affecting the orofacial area like the treatment of facial pain or oral mucosal disease [ 1 ] [ 6 ].…”

Familiarity and awareness of facial cosmetic and oral maxillofacial surgery among dental and medical undergraduate students

“…It is considered a branch of dentistry in countries such as the United States; because in the United Kingdom, it is considered a medical specialty. 3 Oral and maxillofacial surgeons examine and treat dental and medical emergency cases; they also receive referrals from professionals within these specialties. OMFS is one of the few branches of dentistry that is linked to and interacts with other medical specialties.…”