Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Diseases Associated with Rheumatic Patients Among Dentists in Saudi Arabia

Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that make the immune system attack the body’s joints, muscles, bones, and organs. Oral health is proven to be associated with overall systemic health. Patients with rheumatic diseases present with multiple oral manifestations that might be the first clinical signs and symptoms of a systemic disease. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of dentists of the oral diseases associated with rheumatic patients in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed aimed at the different specialties and degrees of dentistry. The total number of participants in this study was 235. The majority of participants (68.1%) agreed that there is a relationship between oral health and rheumatic disease, but only 31.1% agreed (or strongly agreed) that they have sufficient information about this association. Additionally, 34.9% agreed that there was enough information about medications that can be used in rheumatic patients and their possible side effects on the oral cavity. Almost half of the participants (46.8%) disagreed that rheumatic disease lecture(s) that have been covered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, enough to manage rheumatic patients. The majority (64.7%) never attended any form of continuous education lecture(s) or course(s) regarding the management of oral conditions in rheumatic patients. We concluded that most of the participants agreed that there is a relation between oral health and rheumatic diseases. At the same time, they think that they do not have enough information on the association between oral health and rheumatic diseases. This is in addition to information on the medication used in rheumatic patients and their possible side effects in the oral cavity.