Knowledge and Attitude of Final Year Medical Students Towards Dentistry and Dental Consultation: A Questionnairebased Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/mlu.v20i3.1367Keywords:
Awareness, dental consultation, knowledge, medical studentsAbstract
Background: Several studies have reported poor awareness and knowledge of dental problems among the
medical students. There is lack of literature assessing the knowledge and attitude of medical students about
dental consultation. Hence there is need to explore the knowledge of medical students towards dentistry and
dental consultation.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and attitude of final year medical students towards
dentistry and dental consultation
Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 130 final-year medical
undergraduate students studying in Krishna Institute of Medical sciences. A self-administered, close ended
structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards dentistry
and dental consultation.
Results: The knowledge of final year medical students about dentistry was found to be average. The majority
of the students responded positively for dental consultation. The attitude of students towards dentistry
showed somewhat negative response.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study, medical curriculum should include dental health and disease
related topics to improve the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students. Interdisciplinary
collaboration among medical and dental fraternity will benefit the patients at large.