An Evaluation of Practitioner’s Understanding of the Relationship Between Eye and Dental Health

Abstract

Background: According to several studies, eyesight may be impacted by dental health, including the condition of your teeth and gums. Hence awareness of correlating factors of ocular and dental disease is necessary among eyecare and dental care providers, so they can spread the awareness to patients.

Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was developed after focus group discussion. Dentists and ophthalmologists in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai received the Survey Monkey questionnaire, which was distributed through emails and in-person meetings.

Results: 245 practitioners responded to the survey, including 125 dentists and 120 ophthalmologists. According to the survey, 62.18% of ophthalmologists and 34.40% of dentists are aware of the link between poor dental health and the eyes. Years of experience and knowledge of dentists were not correlating (p > 0.05), whereas years of experience and knowledge of ophthalmologists were correlating (p<0.05) regarding the relationship between poor oral health and eye.

Conclusion: Ophthalmologists have encountered more instances of ocular issues caused by poor dental health than dentists. Thus, the present brief survey concludes that dental care provider needs more awareness about eye disease caused by dental issues. Both respective fields can provide awareness to patients for better quality of life.

  • Page Number : 63-68

  • Published Date : 2021-04-14

  • Keywords
    Oral health, Dentist, Ophthalmologist, Visual problem

  • DOI Number
    10.15415/jmrh.2021.72007

  • Authors
    Mumtaz Qazi, Usmani Aazim and Prema K Chande

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