KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ASSOCIATION OF PERIODONTAL DISEASESWITH ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOMES AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS, MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND GYNECOLOGISTS

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of association between periodontal disease
and adverse pregnancy outcomes among dental practitioners, medical practitioners and gynecologists.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous, structured and self-administered questionnaire with eight
close ended items was administered to 199 subjects comprised of dental practitioners (n=52), medical
practitioners (n= 64) and gynecologists (n=83). The knowledge scores were compared between the three groups
of health care providers and also influence of gender and educational qualification was assessed.
Results:The total knowledge score among all the health care providers was 64.25%.The knowledge scores were
significantly higher in dental practitioners (5.80±1.31), followed by gynecologists (5.43±1.76) and medical
practitioners (4.21±1.88) at p=0.00. There was no statistically significant difference among male and female
knowledge score though it was comparatively higher in females (5.37±1.77) than males (4.92±1.85) at p=0.688.
The knowledge scores were higher among subjects with doctoral degree (5.51±1.59) followed by master degree
(5.43±1.82) and bachelor degree (4.78±1.83) at p=0.032.
Conclusion: Findings of this study showed lesser degree of knowledge of association between pregnancy
outcomes among health care providers especially among medical practitioners.Our study recommends the
incorporation of topic related to this association in dental and medical curriculum and publishing the related
researches in medical journals to enhance the knowledge and awareness of this association.