Table 2.
Frequencies of physicians’ answers for the Knowledge of Oral Health (n=167)
| Disagree | I don’t know | Agree | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | |
| Oral health and systemic health | ||||||
| A. Dental caries and systemic disease | 10 | 6.0 | 14 | 8.4 | 143 | 85.6 |
| B. Periodontal disease and systemic disease | — | — | 26 | 15.6 | 141 | 84.4 |
| C. Gingival disease and systemic disease | 2 | 1.2 | 17 | 10.2 | 148 | 88.6 |
| D. Atherosclerosis and oral infection | 26 | 15.6 | 74 | 44.3 | 67 | 40.1 |
| E. Myocardial infarction and oral infection | 37 | 22.2 | 64 | 38.3 | 66 | 39.5 |
| F. Infective endocarditis and oral infection | 4 | 2.4 | 11 | 6.6 | 152 | 91.0 |
| G. Bacterial pneumonia and oral infection | 25 | 15.0 | 77 | 46.1 | 65 | 38.9 |
| H. Diabetes and oral infection | 5 | 3.0 | 15 | 9.0 | 147 | 88.0 |
| I. Low birth weight and oral infection | 22 | 13.2 | 89 | 53.3 | 56 | 33.5 |
| J. Preterm labor and oral infection | 21 | 12.6 | 100 | 59.9 | 46 | 27.5 |
| Pediatric dental health | ||||||
| A. Age for first primary tooth eruption is between 6 and 12 months of age | 7 | 4.2 | 32 | 19.2 | 128 | 76.6 |
| B. Age for first permanent tooth eruption is at 6 years of age | 16 | 9.6 | 70 | 41.9 | 81 | 48.5 |
| C. Pacifiers are risk factors for dentoalveolar malformation in children past the age of 3 years | 5 | 3.0 | 65 | 38.9 | 97 | 58.1 |
| D. Thumb sucking is a risk factors for dentoalveolar malformation in children past the age of 3 years | 9 | 5.4 | 39 | 23.4 | 119 | 71.3 |
| E. Breast milk is less cariogenic* than formula milk | 13 | 7.8 | 48 | 28.7 | 106 | 63.5 |
| F. Sleeping with bottle protects against dental caries | 126 | 75.4 | 24 | 14.4 | 17 | 10.2 |
| G. Fluoride tooth paste can be used in children younger than 3 years of age | 50 | 29.9 | 61 | 36.5 | 56 | 33.5 |
| H. The first visit to the dentist should be by 12 months of age | 31 | 18.6 | 73 | 43.7 | 63 | 37.7 |
| I. Fluoride supplements can be started from the age of 6 months. | 29 | 17.4 | 73 | 43.7 | 65 | 38.9 |
| J. White spots on teeth or lines can be the first sign of decay | 23 | 13.8 | 85 | 50.9 | 59 | 35.3 |
| K. Frequency of sugar intake is more important than the amount in causing tooth decay | 13 | 7.8 | 75 | 44.9 | 79 | 47.3 |
| General dental health | ||||||
| A. Smoking is a risk factor for periodontal disease | — | — | 6 | 3.6 | 161 | 96.4 |
| B. Aging is a risk factor for periodontal disease | 15 | 9.0 | 35 | 21.0 | 117 | 70.1 |
| C. Stress is a risk factor for periodontal disease | 10 | 6.0 | 61 | 36.5 | 96 | 57.5 |
| D. Genetic factor is a risk factor for periodontal disease | 5 | 3.0 | 47 | 28.1 | 115 | 68.9 |
| E. Antihypetensives can increase risk of dental caries | 24 | 14.4 | 124 | 74.3 | 19 | 11.4 |
| F. Antidepressants can increase risk of dental caries | 17 | 10.2 | 126 | 75.4 | 24 | 14.4 |
| G. Analgesics can increase risk of dental caries | 29 | 17.4 | 124 | 74.3 | 14 | 8.4 |
| H. Antibiotics can increase risk of dental caries | 31 | 18.6 | 93 | 55.7 | 43 | 25.7 |
| I. If needed, pregnant women can be referred to dental care at the second trimester | 16 | 9.6 | 70 | 41.9 | 81 | 48.5 |
| J. Pregnancy is a risk for dental caries | 36 | 21.6 | 79 | 47.3 | 52 | 31.1 |
| K. Pregnancy is a risk for dental erosion | 31 | 18.6 | 82 | 49.1 | 54 | 32.3 |
| L. Pregnancy is a risk for gingivitis | 25 | 15.0 | 79 | 47.3 | 63 | 37.7 |
| M. Dental plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease | 8 | 4.8 | 81 | 48.5 | 78 | 46.7 |
| N. Older adult are at increased risk for dental caries | 26 | 15.6 | 61 | 36.5 | 80 | 47.9 |
—Reference group, *Causes tooth decay