Knowledge and Attitude of Sudanese General Medical Practitioners towards Oral Diseases

Introduction: Physicians have the opportunity to detect oral health problems more frequently than dentists because they are the first who come in contact with the patients, thus their role depends on their degree of knowledge and type of attitude towards oral diseases. Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding oral diseases amongst the general medical practitioners working in all of the fifteen public hospitals of Khartoum Locality. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross - sectional study in which we conducted a survey for the medical doctors in the public hospitals of Khartoum locality. Data was gathered using a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of four sections (demographic data, knowledge about oral diseases, attitude towards oral health and awareness about systemic conditions and their relation to oral health). The data was analyzed by the Social Package of Statistical analysis. Conclusion: General medical practitioners showed moderate level of knowledge about oral diseases except for periodontal diseases in which they showed poor level of knowledge. Their attitude towards oral health was positive especially the younger and recently graduated. Their awareness about some systemic conditions and their relation to oral health was moderate.