Awareness and knowledge of common oral diseases among primary care physicians

The objectives of this study were to examine the level of awareness of the common oral disease amongst the primary care physicians in Chennai, India and to study the proportion of the routine oral examination among them. This study was a cross-sectional, self administered, questionnaire survey which was done among 70 primary care physicians of Chennai, India. The questionnaire assessed the proportion of the routine oral examination and the knowledge and the awareness about the common dental problems among the primary care physicians. This study showed moderate awareness about the signs and symptoms of the common oral diseases. There appeared to be a low awareness about the treatment of limited mouth opening and the causes of white patches. 85.9% of the doctors said that they routinely examined the oral cavity; 4.2% said that they sometimes did so. 4.2% of the sample said that they did not perform a routine oral examination, whilst another 4.2% said that they examined the throat only. The information which was gleaned from this study can help in developing a focused module which is aimed at the practising primary care physicians, and to suggest appropriate additions to the curriculum of the medical graduates, so as to enable an early detection, an appropriate referral, and an ultimately improved oral and general health of our population.