Authors :
Dr S.Gokkulakrishnan; Dr Abhishek Karan; Dr Sardar Singh Yadav; Dr Devang Dwivedi; Dr Sakshi Pandey
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3iUERpL
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6403780
Abstract :
Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a
specialty of dentistry dealing with the surgical aspects of
head and neck. It is considered to be a bridge between
medical and dental specialties. However, little is known
regarding this field among the medical practitioners.
Method: A survey was conducted among 200 health care
professionals in KANPUR to check for awareness
regarding the field of OMFS, and its scope in the medical
field.
Result: Most of the dental professionals were found to be
more aware of range of work done in Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery, in contrast to medical
professionals. The difference in perceived knowledge was
not significant for nose fractures, cleft lip and/or palate,
removal of wisdom tooth and temporomandibular joint
problems. Most of the respondents referred cases to
OMFS for mandibular, maxillary and zygoma fractures.
OMFS was also preferred for dento-alveolar trauma,
maxillary cysts, benign mandibular tumors, removal of
wisdom tooth, orthognathic surgeries, TMJ problems and
maxillofacial infections. There was a difference of opinion
for others. Dental professionals preferred OMFS for
biopsy of oral lesions, lump in the mouth, mandibular
reconstruction and bone graft in mandible, while medical
professionals referred less number of cases for these
conditions. There were more referrals to OMFS from
medical professionals’ side for dental implants, as
compared to dental professionals. There were overall less
number of referrals to OMFS for cancer of the mouth,
removal of salivary glands, cleft lip and/or palate, and
problems with facial appearance.
Conclusion: The knowledge of health care professionals
regarding specialty referrals in oro-facial conditions is
average. Many health care professionals still associate our
specialty mostly with intraoral conditions and tooth
removal only. Health care professionals still lack
information regarding the advances and new procedures
being done in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental
Practitioners were more aware about the range of work
done and referrals to OMFS than Medical Practitioners
of all specialties
Keywords :
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Personnel, Medical Practitioners, Awareness.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a
specialty of dentistry dealing with the surgical aspects of
head and neck. It is considered to be a bridge between
medical and dental specialties. However, little is known
regarding this field among the medical practitioners.
Method: A survey was conducted among 200 health care
professionals in KANPUR to check for awareness
regarding the field of OMFS, and its scope in the medical
field.
Result: Most of the dental professionals were found to be
more aware of range of work done in Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery, in contrast to medical
professionals. The difference in perceived knowledge was
not significant for nose fractures, cleft lip and/or palate,
removal of wisdom tooth and temporomandibular joint
problems. Most of the respondents referred cases to
OMFS for mandibular, maxillary and zygoma fractures.
OMFS was also preferred for dento-alveolar trauma,
maxillary cysts, benign mandibular tumors, removal of
wisdom tooth, orthognathic surgeries, TMJ problems and
maxillofacial infections. There was a difference of opinion
for others. Dental professionals preferred OMFS for
biopsy of oral lesions, lump in the mouth, mandibular
reconstruction and bone graft in mandible, while medical
professionals referred less number of cases for these
conditions. There were more referrals to OMFS from
medical professionals’ side for dental implants, as
compared to dental professionals. There were overall less
number of referrals to OMFS for cancer of the mouth,
removal of salivary glands, cleft lip and/or palate, and
problems with facial appearance.
Conclusion: The knowledge of health care professionals
regarding specialty referrals in oro-facial conditions is
average. Many health care professionals still associate our
specialty mostly with intraoral conditions and tooth
removal only. Health care professionals still lack
information regarding the advances and new procedures
being done in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental
Practitioners were more aware about the range of work
done and referrals to OMFS than Medical Practitioners
of all specialties
Keywords :
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Personnel, Medical Practitioners, Awareness.
