Oral and dental conditions presenting to medical practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the type and frequency of oral and dental conditions presenting to medical practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago, type of management, and interest in continuing education in oral diseases. METHOD: Cross sectional survey of registered medical practitioners in Trinidad. 20-item self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: 103 medical practitioners participated in the study (response rate 69 per cent). Mean age 33 years. Mean years since qualifying was 8 years and 72 per cent worked mainly in hospital service or private practice (19 per cent); 67 per cent had seen patients with a dental problems, with 69% of those at least as frequently as once a month. Most frequently seen problems were dental abscess (72.5 per cent) and toothache (59.4 per cent). In the case of dental abscess and oral mucosal infection 31.9 per cent and 63.8 per cent respectively, diagnosed and treated before referring. 84 per cent expressed interest in receiving continuing education in oral diseases. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of access to oral care in Trinidad and Tobago, medical practitioners appear to be important providers and may benefit from further training in the diagnosis and management of oral diseases.