KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICE REGARDING OCULAR COMPLICATIONS DUE TO DENTAL INFECTIONS AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS IN QASSIM, SAUDI ARABIA

Objectives:The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of dental students regarding the ocular complications that occur due to dental infection. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted with a questionnaire consisting of 11 questions (six knowledge items and five attitude and practice items) was distributed among first-, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth year dental students via email. Of 120 questionnaires distribution, 102 questionnaires were filled by the students, hence the response rate of this study was 85%. All the items were in the format of multiple-choice questions. Based on the responses from 102 questionnaires, the frequencies and percentages for each item of the survey were analyzed. Results:Nearly 63% of participants were aware of ocular complications resulting from dental infection. Discussion with colleagues and peers are the main source of information (56%) among the dental students. Three-fourths of the participants (75%) reported that these complications were under-reported in textbooks, curriculum and literature. More than 80% of the participants indicated that ocular complications should be considered seriously if not considered it may result in irreversible ocular damage, and 83% advocated research on ocular complications due to dental infections. Conclusion: Even though the awareness of ocular complications due to dental infections was found to be adequate among our undergraduate dental students, there is a need of education and training about prevention and initial management of these sorts of complications associated with dental infections and post tooth extraction. Moreover, this awareness and early diagnosis of ocular complications and appropriate referral to ophthalmologists will improve the patient outcomes.