Dentists’ Attitudes toward Diabetes Mellitus Screening in Thai Dental Clinics

Chanita Tantipoj, Thaksaporn Sirichanyaphong, Jiratchaya Nuntachurat, Kriddichon Ruetaijetjaroen, Narin Hiransuthikul, Patr Pujarern, Pornpoj Fuangtharnthip and Siribang-on Piboonniyom Khovidhunkit
Additional contact information
Chanita Tantipoj: Department of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Thaksaporn Sirichanyaphong: Mahidol International Dental School, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Jiratchaya Nuntachurat: Mahidol International Dental School, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Kriddichon Ruetaijetjaroen: Mahidol International Dental School, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Narin Hiransuthikul: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Patr Pujarern: Department of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Pornpoj Fuangtharnthip: Department of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Siribang-on Piboonniyom Khovidhunkit: Department of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM), especially type 2 DM, has become a common problem worldwide. Previous studies have demonstrated that chairside screening can effectively identify undetected type 2 DM patients. This study was conducted to determine dentists’ attitudes toward DM screening in dental clinics. A total of 632 currently active dentists with more than 1 year of working experience participated. The six-part (importance, barriers, willingness, readiness, knowledge, and routine management) anonymous, self-administered questionnaire of five-point response scales was then distributed. The results illustrated that most dentists (86.3%) realized the importance of DM screening and that patients’ willingness was the main potential barrier (86.4%). Of the respondents, 98.1% and 82.4% were willing to measure blood pressure and weight and height for their patients, whereas only 45.4% and 38.8% were willing to collect blood from the fingertip or oral fluids for salivary diagnostics, respectively. Moreover, 73.7% of respondents were ready to refer patients to physicians, and 59.5% could explain the relationship between DM and oral diseases. However, only 44.3% and 27.9% were prepared to provide education about DM awareness or were able to perform screening, respectively. In addition, 67.2% and 65.8% knew the screening criteria and risk factors of DM, respectively, but only 45.1% knew what to do. The result of our study provided essential knowledge with respect to dentists’ attitudes in the screening for DM in Thai dental clinics.

Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus; screening; attitude; questionnaires; dentists (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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