Dental student′s knowledge, beliefs and attitudes toward obese patients at one dental college in India

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs toward obesity among clinical and preclinical dental undergraduate students of a private dental school in India. Materials and Methods: The total sample size in the present study accounted to 247. In order to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of study subjects toward obesity, a questionnaire was adapted from a previous survey, which consisted of questions related to the student's perception of responsibilities toward obese patients, their knowledge and attitudes toward obese patients and each question had answers on a Likert scale. Results: More than half (56.3%) of the clinical students strongly agreed and 40.6% of the preclinical students agreed that obesity is a chronic disease. Less than half (45.6%) of the participants differed that they will need to make accommodations in equipment and office furniture. More than half the subjects (60.6%) were interested in learning about obesity in dental school. Significantly greater number of clinical students agreed they feel uncomfortable when examining an obese patient and it is difficult for them to feel empathy for the obese patient; in addition, they believed that overweight people lack will-power and are lazier. Conclusions: There were no differences between the genders for any of the statements. Many of the students in clinical years had negative attitudes toward obese patients than preclinical students.