Background: Dental knowledge among medical practitioners seems unsatisfactory; therefore, this study aimed to explore the physicians awareness of dentistry on many different topics.
Methodology: The questionnaire was distributed randomly to 350 physicians in both public and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Results: The results of this study showed that 66% of the physicians were not familiar with dental sealants, and 39% only routinely examined the elderly patients oral mucosa. Moreover, in cases of avulsion, 7% suggested to replace the tooth in the socket and call the dentist. Fifty percent of the physicians thought that their dental knowledge was poor.
Conclusion: This study revealed a clear need for greater awareness of dentistry among medical personnel. There was a lack of relevant information regarding education, management, and attitudes toward certain dental problems. The goal can be reached by providing the undergraduate medical students with dental knowledge and also by presenting lectures and training programs to physicians.
Key words: Medicine, dentistry, oral mucosa, tooth avulsion
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