Year : 2024

Volume : Volume 16

Issue : Issue 6

Address for correspondence :
Dr Dhaval Mehta
drdhaval80@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Oral Medicine and Radiology is a dental specialty focused on the diagnosis and non-surgical management of orofacial conditions. General practitioners are often the first to encounter oral manifestations of systemic diseases, yet awareness and referral practices to Oral Medicine specialists remain limited. Aim: To evaluate the awareness and referral patterns of general medical practitioners regarding the Oral Medicine specialty. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 medical practitioners in North Gujarat. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their awareness of Oral Medicine, the frequency of encountering oral conditions, and referral behavior. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with the Pearson Chi-square test (p < 0.05 considered significant). Results: Only a minority of practitioners referred cases to Oral Medicine specialists, with most preferring other specialties. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.001) were found between specialty and frequency of referral. After being informed about Oral Medicine, 99% were willing to refer patients, showing a notable shift in attitude. Conclusion: General practitioners frequently encounter oral health issues but seldom refer such cases to Oral Medicine specialists, primarily due to lack of awareness. Increasing awareness among them can significantly improve healthcare outcomes. Keywords: General Practitioners, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Oral Medicine, Radiology, Oral Health Awareness,Referral Patterns.