Approach of a private dental practitioner towards the diagnosis & treatment of periodontal disease: a survey

Introduction: unlike the last decade the field of periodontics has evolved in the recent years and has gained utmost importance in the field of dentistry. There has been a tremendous about of advancement in diagnostic aids and methods in relation to periodontics. Materials and methods: The present study was carried in the form of a survey among 100 dental practitioners in rural areas in Navi Mumbai (Uran, Turbhe, Kalamboli, Panvel) with a minimum of one year of active clinical practice. Interns, dental students, and especially periodontists were excluded from the survey. The questionnaire consisted of 11 questions. The questions ranged from chief periodontal complain of the patient to the level of satisfaction of private dentists after periodontal therapy. Results: the observations were that majority if the private practitioners used basic diagnostic aids, which were not sufficient to determine periodontal disease. Also majority of the practitioners do not refer the patient to a periodontist in the first visit or follow up with the patient after phase 1 therapy Conclusion: The lack of awareness and applications about periodontal healthcare in urban areas of Navi Mumbai practitioners in terms of diagnostic techniques, systemic disease relationships and reasons for referrals to periodontists. There is a need for patient motivation for disease prevention and guidance to general dentists for patient referrals to periodontists for enhancement to better treatment outcomes.