Awareness Of Medical Students Regarding Periodontal Disease In Diabetic Patients In A Private Dental College of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of periodontal disease among medical students of Bahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC) while treating diabetic patients. Study design and Setting: It was a cross sectional study conducted in Bahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC) Karachi. Methodology: This study included participants currently studying in 3rd, 4th and final year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in BUMDC Karachi. Questionnaire was divided into two parts, in the first part, demographic details and year of study were asked, in the second part, questions regarding diabetes mellitus and its complications were included. Total of 384 participants participated in the study and the data was statistically analyzed using responses SPSS version 23. Results: All the participants successfully completed the questionnaire so the response rate was 100% in this study. From 384 participants, 37% were male and 63% were female. The majority of the students were aged between 22-23 years. About 64.1% of respondents thought that they were aware of periodontal disease in diabetic patients whereas only 19.5% individual had knowledge of periodontitis. Also around 44% of medical students could not specify clinical manifestations in periodontitis and only 48.4% participants could state the periodontal manifestations present in diabetic mellitus. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that medical students have very limited knowledge regarding periodontal disease and its association with diabetes mellitus. Very few medical students were informed about referring the diabetic patients to the dental surgeon.

Assessment of knowledge of the association between periodontitis and systemic conditions among clinical medical and nursing students

“…This finding is in tandem with a previous study. 27 This finding among the nursing students is comparable to the findings in a previous study, where nursing students in a private medical university, were unaware of the link between periodontitis and systemic conditions. 30 The finding calls for a review of the nursing curriculum to include oral health and its association with systemic conditions.…”

“…A study conducted among medical students of Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, reported very limited knowledge regarding periodontal disease and its association with diabetes mellitus. 27 There is paucity in the literature of studies on awareness of the link between periodontitis and systemic diseases among medical and nursing students. This study therefore aims to compare the awareness of a possible association between periodontitis and systemic conditions among clinical medical students and clinical nursing students, since these trainees will constitute a significant proportion of the healthcare professionals saddled with the responsibility of patient care and appropriate referral, upon graduation.…”