Medical Conditions, Oral Health Practices, and Barriers to Treatment among Patients Visiting a Teaching Dental Hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective. To assess the prevalence of medical conditions, oral hygiene practices, and dental visits among patients who attended a teaching dental hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods. This retrospective cross-sectional study used patient records from 2009 to 2015 from the dental hospital of the College of Dentistry Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam. Patients’ demographics, medical history, oral hygiene practices, reasons for attending the facility, attendance patterns, and smoking habits were studied. Results. The study included 1502 records of patients with 65.1% of males and 34.9% of females. The prevalence of medical conditions was 25.7% in the study. The most common medical conditions included diabetes mellitus (7.2%), hypertension (6.5%), and anemia (4.7%). Only 21.8% reported visiting the dental hospital in the past one year. The prevalence of smoking was 16.7%, and this did not differ significantly between healthy and medically compromised patients ( P = 0.165 ). Fillings were the most common (21.6%) reason for visiting a dental hospital, followed by treatment for periodontal problems (12.9%) and oral lesions (12.6%), whereas treatment for braces (orthodontics) was the least common (5%) reason for visiting the hospital. The reasons for visiting the hospital did not differ significantly between healthy and medically compromised patients ( P > 0.05 ). The three most common barriers to dental visits included long waiting time (18.1%), fear of dental treatment (14.4%), and difficulty in getting an appointment (11.3%). Conclusion. The study showed that dental patients had a high prevalence of medical conditions. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent problem. Most patients visited the dental hospital to receive restorative treatment, and a long waiting time was the most common barrier to dental visits. Public health measures should be taken to improve the general health and oral care of patients.

Prevalence and Variation of Medical Comorbidities in Oral Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Study at Jazan University

“…This study assessed the prevalence and various types of medical comorbidities amid patients in oral surgery clinics by examining the records of patients who were treated during a single academic period of 1 year at the College of Dentistry, Jazan University. The main findings of the study revealed that out of the total patients observed (n=640), the prevalence of patients with medical comorbidity was 27.5% (n=176), which is similar to that observed in recent studies by Lakhani et al (23.4%; n=1867) [ 41 ], Alonaizan et al (25.7%; n=1502) [ 42 ], Chandler et al (30.6%;n=716) [ 43 ], Shetty et al (33%; n=725) [ 38 ], Gaphor et al (35.24%; n=1200) [ 44 ], and Sanguansin et al (30.5%; n=712) [ 45 ]. Among these studies, however, the study by Lakhani et al was done in oral surgery patients for a similar time period (1 year), while the findings of Alonaizan et al [ 42 ] were observed in a Saudi academic dental hospital over a period of 6 years.…”

“…The main findings of the study revealed that out of the total patients observed (n=640), the prevalence of patients with medical comorbidity was 27.5% (n=176), which is similar to that observed in recent studies by Lakhani et al (23.4%; n=1867) [ 41 ], Alonaizan et al (25.7%; n=1502) [ 42 ], Chandler et al (30.6%;n=716) [ 43 ], Shetty et al (33%; n=725) [ 38 ], Gaphor et al (35.24%; n=1200) [ 44 ], and Sanguansin et al (30.5%; n=712) [ 45 ]. Among these studies, however, the study by Lakhani et al was done in oral surgery patients for a similar time period (1 year), while the findings of Alonaizan et al [ 42 ] were observed in a Saudi academic dental hospital over a period of 6 years. In terms of comparison with studies with a large sample size, our results showed a similar prevalence as that observed by Smeets et al (28.2%; n=29 424) [ 46 ].…”

Peran Program Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka pada Pengembangan Pengetahuan Dokter Gigi melalui Edukasi Tatalaksana Pasien dengan Penyakit Sistemik di Tempat Praktik

“…Oleh karena itu, dokter gigi perlu memahami potensi komplikasi yang dapat terjadi sebagai konsekuensi dari perawatan gigi pada pasien dengan kelainan sistemik baik ketika pra-perawatan atau pengobatan pasca perawatan atau diindikasikan perawatan darurat. Pasien dengan kompromi medis hanya boleh dirawat di lingkungan rumah sakit di mana jika muncul masalah darurat, dapat segera ditangani secara terkendali (Alonaizan et al, 2022;Bakardjiev, 2019;Bakardjiev, 2011;Ganda, 2006) Maksud kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah untuk memberikan kemampuan penguasaan pengetahuan mengenai penatalaksanaan pasien dengan syok anafilaksis dan penyakit sistemik pada praktik dokter gigi, sehingga dapat terhindar dari komplikasi maupun kematian. Adapun tujuan dari dilakukannya pengabdian masyarakat adalah untuk upaya peningkatan pengetahuan dan keterampilan kesehatan untuk dokter gigi yang diselenggarakan dalam bentuk kegiatan dengan pendekatan promotif dan preventif yang dilaksanakan secara terpadu, menyeluruh dan berkesinambungan.…”

The Incidence of Systemic Diseases in Dental Practice and the Readiness of Dentists in Their Management

“…Each identified condition may affect dental care in a unique way, such as a drug prescribed post-intervention in certain patients with medical compromise may cause problems during the administration of local anesthetics or may interact with pain medications prescribed afterward. [5][6][7][8] Dental and oral care in patients with systemic diseases is a critical aspect of the dental practice, so if neglected, it can lead to adverse consequences. 14,15 Therefore, dentists need to understand the potential complications that can result from dental treatment in patients with systemic disorders when either pre-treatment or posttreatment, or emergency treatment is indicated.…”

“…Patients with medical compromise should only be treated in a hospital setting where, if an emergency occurs, it can be treated promptly and controlled. [5][6][7][8] Patients with systemic disease may experience oral signs, including ulceration, this case, the report discusses the incidence of systemic diseases in dental practice and the readiness of dentists in its management. Most systemic disorders ever found in dentistry practices were hypertension (96.2%), while other cases were diabetes (89.2%), heart disorders (65.1%), asthma (47%), allergies (45.8%), stroke (37.3%), blood disorders (27.7%), kidney disorders (25.3%), thyroid disorders (24.1%), liver disorders (14.5%), and others (2.4%).…”