AWARENESS OF ORAL MEDICINE SPECIALTIY AND MANAGEMENT APPROACH OF ORAL MEDICINE CASES SEEN BY MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION IN SOUTH WEST OF NIGERIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND:  Oral Medicine, an aspect of Dentistry that deals with oral mucosal diseases and oro-facial manifestation of systemic diseases, is an evolving specialty in developing parts of the world.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the awareness of Oral Medicine specialty among medical practitioners, and to assess the management methods of Oral Medicine cases seen by them.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire as a tool. The questionnaire was reproduced, pretested, modified and thereafter, distributed to medical doctors: (house officers, residents and consultants) during break time at their various lounges. Emails and telephone conversations were also used.  The questionnaire captured biodata; what is Oral Medicine specialty, the cases seen and the condition mostly diagnosed by the medical personnel; if the patients were treated, referred, and to whom? Statistical analysis was done using SPSS window version 25. Quantitative variables were obtained. P-value was set as ≤0.05

RESULT: Four hundred and fifty-two participated in the study. There were 249 males and 203 females, with M: F ratio of 1.2: 1. The mean age was 30.11±6.6. Three hundred and nine (68.4%) of the participants have heard of the specialty. One hundred and eighty-seven (60.5%) have seen cases with oral lesions, among which 45 (24.1%), did not refer. Halitosis was the condition mostly diagnosed 106(23.5%). The clinic that they mostly refer the cases to was Oral Medicine 107(5.4%). There was an association between awareness of the specialty and age, with the awareness exhibited mostly among the older age group (P=0.032).  Similarly, there was also an association between job cadre and the specialty, with the consultant most aware (P=0.013). 

CONCLUSION: Most of them were aware of Oral Medicine specialty with the awareness displayed more by the consultants. The majority referred oral medicine cases to oral medicine specialists, but a significant proportion still referred to other specialties. The delay can affect the quality of life of the patient.

The study has, therefore, emphasized the need for an interdisciplinary relationship between Oral Medicine specialists and the medical personnel.