Awareness of the Relationship between Systemic and Periodontal Diseases among Physicians and Dentists in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background:Previous studies have shown possible association between periodontal diseases and Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes (APO). Increasing the knowledge of physicians and dentists regarding the association between periodontal disease and systemic diseases should improve their ability to provide a high standard of treatment for the disease and prevent its consequences. In our study, we sought to identify knowledge gaps in the awareness of the relationship between systemic and periodontal diseases among dentists and physicians from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed with a convenient sample of selected physicians and dentists in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait using a self-developed structured questionnaire. Physicians’ and dentists’ awareness were assessed regarding current evidence of the relationship between systemic diseases and conditions (DM, CVD, APO) and periodontal diseases.Results:A total of 134 (21.5%) of the identified physicians and 485 (78%) of the identified dentists participated in this study. More than half of the participants (52.1% physicians and 67.5% dentists) agreed that there is a relationship between periodontal diseases and DM, CVD and APO. Dentists had a statistically higher level of awareness compared with the physicians. The findings related to the awareness of the dentist sub groups highlighted that periodontists were significantly more likely to have a good level of knowledge.Conclusion:Within the limitations of this study, we concluded that the awareness of physicians and dentists regarding the relationship between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases (DM, CVD, APO) is generally low, Therefore, improved collaboration between medical and dental health providers is recommended.