Knowledge, attitude and practice of dentists towards oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is an oral precancerous condition characterized by inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissues resulting in marked rigidity and trismus. OSMF still remains a dilemma to the clinicians due to elusive pathogenesis and less well-defined classification systems.Aim and objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge among dental students about the significance of Oral Submucous Fibrosis and it’s management.Methodology: The questionnaire based study was conducted among 100 participants. A self-administered questionnaire was used. The questionnaire based study was conducted through an online forum , google form software. The questions were formed to observe knowledge,attitude,and practical approach of dental students towards treating OSMF patients attending private dental hospitals .The data collected were stored and results were analysed by SPSS software. Out of 500 participants. Majority of participants were aware that betel quid were the most common habits and blanching mucosa were the common features associated with OSMF.
Conclusion: Within the limits of the present study, students showed good knowledge on the various clinical and diagnosis aspects of Oral submucous fibrosis, however the knowledge on the management aspect of oral submucous fibrosis was moderate. A better knowledge of OSMF will endure safer health care services for the population.