Investigation of the Self-Confidence of Family Physicians and Primary Care Providers Regarding Dental Caries Diagnosis and Oral Health Counselling and the Associated Factors

  Primary care providers (PCP), including family physicians, and family healthcare providers have more frequent contact with patients, compared to dentists. Therefore, it would be efficient to engage them in oral health promotion programs. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate primary care providers and the physicians’ self-confidence in terms of oral health care and the prevention of oral diseases and the associated factors. In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was sent to all PCPs (n=680) and physicians (n=220) working at seven health centers in Tehran. The questionnaire consisted of items, such as oral health knowledge, background information, and oral health behavior (OHB). Two items sought information about the self-confidence of PCPs and physicians regarding dental caries diagnosis and offering advice on oral health. The data were analyzed using logistic regression. The mean ages of the physicians and PCPs were 39±8/0 and 37±8/0, respectively. Out of 34, the oral health knowledge scores of the physicians and PCPs were 18.2±4.5 and 17.2±4.5, respectively. 34% of the physicians and 27% of the PCPs showed self-confidence in terms of dental caries diagnosis. With regard to offering advice on oral health, 32% and 34% of the physicians and PCPs provided the patients with oral health counselling, respectively.The higher levels of self-confidence in terms of dental caries diagnosis and oral health counselling with parents obtained in physicians who had the higher scores of oral health knowledge (P>0.05). The PCPs working in deprived areas (P>0.001) or those with higher OHB scores revealed to be more confident (P>0.05). In spite of the fact that oral health is an essential component of primary care, physicians and PCPs revealed the lower levels of self-confidence in this regard. Therefore, it is essential to provide physicians and PCPs with appropriate OHB and self-confidence training which leads to the improvement of community oral health