ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS PERIODONTAL TREATMENT PROCEDURES AMONG GENERAL DENTISTS IN BENGALURU

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the treatment of periodontal disease among general dentists.

Materials and methods: The study involved 150 general dentists from Bangalore.  KAP study using a questionnaire was conducted with a total of 15 questions, and the questions were divided under 3 domains assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards periodontal treatment procedures.

Results: Out of the 150 dentists who received the questionnaire, 100% returned properly filled forms with a mean value of 12.2 in knowledge, 15.6 in attitude and 10.2 in the practice. With pearson correlation coefficient, it is understood that there is positive relationship between the knowledge that the dentists possess and their attitude towards periodontal treatment procedures. But, the correlation between knowledge and practice is not significant, however, on the negative side.

Conclusion: General dentists have good knowledge and attitude towards periodontal treatment procedures whereas, their practice towards periodontal treatment procedure is still truncated. Hence, the oral perception of general dentists towards periodontal treatment needs to be gauged for betterment of their service.

Keywords: Dentists, knowledge, periodontal diseases