Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting medical knowledge and practice of dental treatment for systemic disease among dental health care workers. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 222 dental health care workers working in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Gyeonggi province, Chungcheong province, and Jeolla province within the period between May 1-June 30, 2016. Knowledge and medical knowledge about the clinical treatment of patients suffering from systemic disease and their practice were composed of items that were corrected, supplemented, and developed by themselves based on previous research. Results: Factors affecting knowledge about clinical treatment of patients suffering from systemic disease were place of employment, treatment about systemic disease, and practice of dental treatment for systemic diseases. Predictive power was 38.5%. Factors affecting practice of clinical treatment of patients suffering from systemic disease were sex, place of employment, treatment about systemic disease, the basic equipment and drugs needed for emergency care, and knowledge of dental treatment for systemic diseases. Predictive power was 39.1%. Conclusions: Dental health care workers’ knowledge and practice of dental treatment of patients suffering from systemic diseases were important factors influencing each other.
Figures & Tables
Table 1. Mean score of knowledge and practice about dental treatment of patients with systemic disease according to sociodemographic characteristics of study subjects
