# Linking systemic diseases with oral health: Awareness among general physician

## TL;DR

This study shows that many general physicians lack sufficient awareness of the link between oral health and systemic diseases.

## Contribution

The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary education to improve integrated treatment approaches.

## Key findings

- Only 24.4% of physicians had high awareness of oral-systemic health connections.
- Physicians with over ten years of experience had significantly better knowledge.
- Less than 40% regularly asked about oral health, and only 28% referred patients to dentists when needed.

## Abstract

The relationship between oral health and systemic disease exists. However, its understanding among physician is inadequate and less
comprehensive in nature. Hence, a survey of 135 general physicians showed that 53.3% possessed moderate awareness and 24.4% had high
awareness while 22.2% had low awareness. Knowledge levels of physicians who had more than ten years of experience proved to be
significantly better than others (p < 0.05). The practice of asking about oral health occurred regularly for less than 40% of
providers while dental referrals reached only 28% of necessary patients. Interdisciplinary education at an elevated level should become
mandatory to develop better integrated treatment approaches.