Perception of health care providers toward geriatric oral health in Belgaum district: A cross-sectional study
Authors
Nishant Mehta
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Karnataka Lingayat Educational Society Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Ladusingh Rajpurohit
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Karnataka Lingayat Educational Society Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Anil Ankola
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Karnataka Lingayat Educational Society Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Mamata Hebbal
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Karnataka Lingayat Educational Society Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Priyanka Setia
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Punjab Government Dental College and Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Keywords:
Allopathy, ayurveda, geriatrics, health care providers, homeopathy, oral health, PHC centers
Abstract
Objectives:
To access knowledge and practices related to the oral health of geriatrics among the health care providers practicing in urban and rural areas.
Older adults have identified a number of barriers that contribute to lack of dental service use. However, barriers that clinicians encounter in providing dental treatment to older adults are not as clear-cut.
Materials and Methods:
236 health professionals (of allopathy, ayurveda, and homeopathy) from urban and rural areas were assessed by means of structured questionnaire related to oral health practices and beliefs.
Results:
Doctors practicing in urban areas assessed dental care needs more frequently (P = 0.038) and performed greater practices related to oral health of geriatrics (P = 0.043) than the doctors practicing in primary health care (PHC) centers (rural) (P = 0.038).
Conclusion:
Owing to the relative lack of knowledge among rural practitioners, there is a need to integrate primary health care with oral care in rural areas.
Keywords: Allopathy, ayurveda, geriatrics, health care providers, homeopathy, oral health, PHC centers
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