Table
2: Physicians’ Opinions on Oral Health
|
Item (n = 62) |
Mean (SD) |
Disagree/Strongly
Disagree N (%) |
Neutral N (%) |
Agree/ Strongly Agree N
(%) |
|
a.
Dentists
have adequate knowledge of the interaction between oral health and treatment/
management of many non-oral diseases. |
3.26
(1.0) |
16
(25.8) |
16 (25.8) |
30 (48.4) |
|
b. Many primary care providers are
aware of the relationship between oral health and the treatment/ management
of many non-oral diseases. |
3.44
(0.8) |
10 (16.1) |
16
(25.8) |
36 (58.1) |
|
c. Oral health is often regarded as less
important than other health needs of patients. |
3.63
(0.9) |
10
(16.1) |
8
(12.9) |
44
(71.0) |
|
d. Dental cavities, periodontal
diseases and oral ulcers are generally thought of as infections by
physicians. |
3.15
(1.0) |
18 (29.0) |
19
(30.6) |
25
(40.4) |
|
e. Little time is devoted to oral
health topics in medical education. |
4.06
(1.0) |
7 (11.3) |
5 (8.1) |
50 (80.6) |
|
f. The dental discipline remains
relatively segregated from other healthcare disciplines. |
4.05
(0.9) |
3 (4.8) |
10
(16.1) |
49
(79.1) |
|
g. The separation of dental and other
primary health care disciplines has grown over time. |
3.44
(1.0) |
8 (12.9) |
29
(46.8) |
25
(40.3) |
|
h. Many doctors regard oral health as
an important component of overall medical care. |
3.44
(0.8) |
11
(17.7) |
15
(24.2) |
36 (58.1) |
|
i. I generally regard oral health as an
important component of overall medical care.
|
4.35
(0.7) |
2
(3.2) |
2
(3.2) |
58
(93.6) |
|
j. I always warn patients that their
oral health can be compromised by certain medications. |
2.94
(1.1) |
25
(40.4) |
16
(25.8) |
21
(33.9) |
|
k. Many immunosuppressive drugs are
prescribed for people with oral conditions that can result in serious
septicemias. |
3.60
(0.8) |
4
(6.5) |
26
(41.9) |
32
(51.6) |
|
l. I have adequate knowledge of the
interaction between oral health and the treatment/ management of many
diseases. |
2.94
(1.0) |
21
(25.8) |
22
(35.5) |
19
(30.6) |