A Study to Evaluate Awareness of Psychosomatic Factors as a Possible Risk Factor for Periodontal Diseases in General Dental Practitioners of Mangalore City

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Clinical observations and epidemiological studies suggest that some negative life events and psychological factors may contribute to an increased susceptibility to periodontal diseases. Management of periodontal diseases is a fundamental part of general practice. This study explored general dental practitioner's awareness about psychosomatic factors and their role in periodontal disease progression. Aim To evaluate the awareness of general dental practioners of Mangalore city and their professional behavior towards patients with stress and depression and periodontal infection. Method Data were collected from 55 general dental practitioners of Mangalore city. 27 respondents were purely general practitioners and other were academicians who were practicing general dentistry. Results the respondents had awareness about the effect of stress and depression on periodontal tissues and their management. They were able to identify the periodontal conditions which occur primarily because of stress. Conclusion The general dental practitioners play a key role in the success of the treatment of periodontal disease since they are the primary care providers. The respondents were significantly aware about the psychological factors such as stress and depression and its significance on periodontium. This may be due to the involvement of more number of young practitioners who were well educated about psychosomatic factors and their effects on periodontium in their dental education.