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

Abstract

BACKGROUND:In many health services communities the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) as a discipline is frequently not probably understood. Good awareness towards OMFS among different branches of health services providers is essential for better referral strategies and will be for the benefit of the patient.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The cross-sectional study was done using a specially prepared questionnaire distributed randomly to 125 general medical practitioners working in Jazan province. In this questionnaire, there were also some close-ended questions to evaluate awareness regarding a variety of conditions treated by the oral and maxillofacial surgeons.RESULTS:Out of 125 participants, 105 (84%) were aware of the oral and maxillofacial surgery as a speciality branch of dentistry. Only 52 (41.6%) participants were aware of the different treatment modalities coming under the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Also in the referral of cases to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 50 (40%) participants referred their oral and maxillofacial region cases to OMS. Tooth removal was the only procedure where most of the medical practitioners knew it is a speciality procedure of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. For facial fractures, 76 medical practitioners believe it comes under the scope of the orthopaedic surgeon. Similarly, for facial abscesses, 81 and 36 practitioners responded that it is a job of a general surgeon and OMS respectively.CONCLUSION:There is low awareness toward the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the medical community. Knowledge and awareness of the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery can improve the success and promptness of delivery of health services.

Awareness of specialties of dentistry among medical trainees and teaching faculty of medical college in the central West India

“…Ali et al [17] conducted a study to assess the knowledge and awareness of general medical practitioners toward oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialty. Of the 125 participants, 84% were aware of the oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialty in dentistry.…”

Perception and Knowledge of Facial Plastic Surgery Among Health Care Professionals at Tertiary Care Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Cross Sectional Study.

“…Another study reported; 93% of respondents preferred an ophthalmic surgeon to suture an eyelid injury, and 92% of respondents preferred a plastic surgeon to suture a cut over the face, 86% respondents preferred a plastic surgeon for managing burns, 61% responded for plastic surgeon for doing a rhinoplasty and hair transplantation procedure had 67% participants responding for dermatologist (8). Researchers noticed low awareness and knowledge toward the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the medical community among medical practitioners in Jazan Province in Saudi Arabia (11).…”

Knowledge, attitude, and perception of oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty amongst healthcare professionals, and the General Public from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Country

“…OMFS evolved significantly in recent years, triggering major technological and clinical advances in the fields of traumatology, dentofacial deformities, head and neck oncology and reconstruction, and temporomandibular joint disorders [ 3 , 4 ]. Presently, OMFS offers a fairly broad spectrum of treatments, including distraction osteogenesis, implant surgery, tissue engineering, sleep apnea treatment, and esthetic facial surgery [ 3 , 5 , 6 ].…”