Assessment of Knowledge and Practice among General Dentists Concerning Multiple Sclerosis in Yazd, Iran, In 2020

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that has multiple orofacial manifestations. Its complications could make difficulties in the ability to keep oral health and patients' cooperation in the dental office. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice among general dentists concerning multiple sclerosis in Yazd, Iran, in 2020.

This cross-sectional descriptive study randomly selected 105 general dentists working in Yazd, Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to seek such information as demographic characteristics, knowledge (13 questions) and practice (10 questions) among general dentists concerning dental treatments in patients with multiple sclerosis. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 17) using t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. 

Of 105 participants 46.7% were male and 53.3% were female. Out of 105 dentists, the majority (53.3%) of the cases were male. The mean±SD age and work experience of the participants were 30.09±4.47 and 4.89±3.59 years, respectively. Moreover, the mean scores of knowledge and practice were determined at 14.39±2.54 (maximum possible score=26) and 12.45±2.16 (maximum possible score=20), respectively. There was a significant and direct relationship between knowledge and practice (r=0.232; P=0.022). Knowledge and practice did not show a significant relationship with gender, age group, and work experience (P>0.05).

According to the results, dentists had low to moderate knowledge and practice levels regarding patients with multiple sclerosis. Therefore, it is necessary to implement educational programs with interdisciplinary collaboration to promote the knowledge and practice of general dentists.