Evaluation of knowledge of general dentists about tuberculosis in Tabriz city in 2010

Abstract

Tuberculosis is the first disease introduced as an "emergency" by WHO, 1993. Dental-care workers encounter the diseases potentially every time in their works and a proper awareness may lead to cease transmission of the disease and improve dental management. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge of general Dentists who in private offices about tuberculosis in Tabriz in 2010. Materials & Methods: 240 GPDS (138 male, 102 female) were selected by a random cluster sampling method and evaluated using a questionnaire. This questionnaire consisted of 18 questions with 3 choices and another choice as "I don't know". Three groups of questions, each one with 6 questions, were used: general aspect of tuberculosis (diagnosis, pathology, transmission, oral manifestation, and screening) medical therapy and finally drug interaction and dental management. Content validity was confirmed by several specialists in oral medicine and one general practitioner. Findings: The mean correct answers were 2.01.0, 1.61.1 and 2.11.2 with respect to general aspects, medical therapy and drug interactions, and dental management. Total score was 5.72.5 (95% CI: 5.4 to 5.9, ranged form 0 to 11) of maximum 18. Individuals who graduated many years ago and had more work experience, respectively, had more knowledge. There were no significant differences between sex (male and female). Conclusion: Knowledge of our study population about tuberculosis is clearly low. It seems that non-traditional educational methods may be helpful.