Knowledge, attitude, and performance of internists regarding the relationship of periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Studies have confirmed a strong association between periodontal disease (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Treatment of DM is in the field of internists. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and performance of Iranian internists regarding the relationship of DM and PD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire comprising of five domains and ۳۴ questions was utilized (۱۲ questions regarding demographics, ۲ questions regarding the need for continuing education courses on oral health for physicians, ۵ questions about knowledge, ۱۲ questions about attitude, and ۳ questions about the performance of physicians regarding the association of PD and DM). This questionnaire has been previously used in a study conducted in North Carolina, United States of America. The questionnaire was translated to Persian and its validity and reliability were confirmed. Next, ۱۳۴ internists participating in a national congress filled out the questionnaire. The response rate was ۹۷%. Data were analysed using the linear regression model in SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of score of knowledge, attitude, and performance of internists was ۵۷ ± ۲۶, ۶۱ ± ۱۲, and ۳۷ ± ۲۸, respectively, out of one hundred. Among the participants, ۹۶% emphasized on the significance of cooperation with dentists in management of patients with DM and ۸۱% of them confirmed the need for periodontal examination training for physicians. The total score of performance was significantly higher in internists with academic positions (β = ۰.۱۷۷, P = ۰.۰۴۷), older age (β = ۰.۲۳۴, P = ۰.۰۱۱), higher mean weekly working hours (β = ۰.۱۸۵, P = ۰.۰۴۳), and those who had passed a course regarding clinical, dental, and periodontal examination as part of their educational curricula (β = ۰.۱۹۰, P = ۰.۰۳۵). CONCLUSION: This study showed that internists had low level of knowledge and performance regarding the relationship of PD and DM. This casts light on importance of enrichment of the educational curriculum and continuing medical educations in this regard.

Keywords:

Periodontal disease , Diabetes Mellitus , Knowledge , Attitude , Professional Practice