Awareness Of Medical Students Regarding Periodontal Disease In Diabetic Patients In A Private Dental College of Karachi

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of periodontal disease among medical students of Bahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC) while treating diabetic patients. Study design and Setting: It was a cross sectional study conducted in Bahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC) Karachi. Methodology: This study included participants currently studying in 3rd, 4th and final year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in BUMDC Karachi. Questionnaire was divided into two parts, in the first part, demographic details and year of study were asked, in the second part, questions regarding diabetes mellitus and its complications were included. Total of 384 participants participated in the study and the data was statistically analyzed using responses SPSS version 23. Results: All the participants successfully completed the questionnaire so the response rate was 100% in this study. From 384 participants, 37% were male and 63% were female. The majority of the students were aged between 22-23 years. About 64.1% of respondents thought that they were aware of periodontal disease in diabetic patients whereas only 19.5% individual had knowledge of periodontitis. Also around 44% of medical students could not specify clinical manifestations in periodontitis and only 48.4% participants could state the periodontal manifestations present in diabetic mellitus. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that medical students have very limited knowledge regarding periodontal disease and its association with diabetes mellitus. Very few medical students were informed about referring the diabetic patients to the dental surgeon.