Self-reported oral health related knowledge, attitude and practices among medical doctors of Lahore, Pakistan- a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Objective of this study was to investigate oral health-related knowledge, attitude, and practices of medical doctors of Lahore, Pakistan. Three hundred sixty medical doctors were approached consecutively, through undergraduate students of a dental college, at their workplaces in Lahore, Pakistan and self-reported questionnaires were filled. Response rate was 100%. Eight four percent completely filled questionnaires' were analyzed. Ninety nine percent subjects brushed their teeth, 55% showed twice a day frequency; 82% used soft/medium textured brushed and 95% changed brushes in 4-6 months period, 98.7% subjects used toothpastes, 73.1% knew how to brush, 91.9% professionals did not complain of foul breath, 54% had dental hypersensitivity, 14.5% reported pain in teeth, 34.2% had bleeding gums and 76.1% had visited a dentist. Only 4.70% males were smokers. Significant association [p=0.05] was found for use of tooth brush, brushing frequency and timing of brushing, brush change, use of mouth wash with gender; complaint of bad breath with education; sensitivity of teeth with income groups; bleeding gums, and visit to a dentist with education and income; and smokers with gender, education and income group. All other variables showed no statistical significance with respect to gender, education and income levels. Medical doctors were better in their oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices which were associated with education and socio-economic status