421784

Assessing Dental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Awareness Among Medical Practitioners in Benghazi, Libya

Article

Last updated: 27 Apr 2025

Subjects

-

Tags

Oral Medicine, Periodontology and Diagnosis

Abstract

Background: Oral diseases affect billions worldwide and significantly impact overall well-being and quality of life. Medical practitioners are essential for integrating oral health into their practice, as early recognition and management of these often treatable conditions can lead to improved health outcomes. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the dental knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of medical practitioners in Benghazi, Libya, and to identify gaps in their understanding of oral health and its connection to systemic health. The study also aimed to explore the role of medical practitioners in promoting oral health and their ability to recognize and manage dental emergencies and systemic conditions with oral manifestations. Results: The study revealed that a majority of general practitioners (80.6%) and exhibited varying levels of dental knowledge. While 76.9% understood the importance of daily brushing in preventing tooth decay, misconceptions regarding dental issues were prevalent, such as only 38% associating brushing with oral ulcers. Awareness of dental emergencies was mixed; for instance, only 42.8% correctly identified Ludwig's angina as a dental infection, highlighting gaps in knowledge about critical conditions. Conclusion: The study highlighted the need for improved dental education among medical professionals in Benghazi to enhance patient care and early detection of dental-related conditions. The findings underscore the importance of integrating dental knowledge into medical practice to ensure comprehensive healthcare delivery.

DOI

10.21608/edj.2025.357119.3367

Keywords

Dental Knowledge, Attitudes, Awareness, Medical Practitioners, oral health

Authors

First Name

Ibrahim

Last Name

Garoushi

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.

Email

ibrahim.garoushi@limu.edu.ly

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-3769-7513

First Name

Nada

Last Name

Benali

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Graduate General Practitioner, Faculty of Dentistry, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.

Email

nada.benali@limu.edu.ly

City

Benghazi

Orcid

0000-0002-4836-9558

First Name

Mazen

Last Name

Shembesh

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Graduate General Practitioner, Faculty of Dentistry, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.

Email

mazen_1419@limu.edu.ly

City

Benghazi

Orcid

0009-0002-3742-5734

First Name

Mohamed

Last Name

Othman

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Graduate General Practitioner, Faculty of Dentistry, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.

Email

mohamed_1519@limu.edu.ly

City

Benghazi

Orcid

0009-0000-5318-1288

First Name

Amalia

Last Name

Elayash

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Graduate General Practitioner, Faculty of Dentistry, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.

Email

amalia_1390@limu.edu.ly

City

Benghazi

Orcid

0009-0009-4849-877X

First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Abdoun

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Graduate General Practionar, Faculty of Dentistry, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.

Email

mohamad_1526@limu.edu.ly

City

Benghazi

Orcid

0009-0009-4912-3080

Volume

71

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

54986

Issue Date

2025-04-01

Receive Date

2025-02-02

Publish Date

2025-04-01

Page Start

1,393

Page End

1,399

Print ISSN

0070-9484

Online ISSN

2090-2360

Link

https://edj.journals.ekb.eg/article_421784.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=421784

Order

421,784

Type

Original Article

Type Code

254

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Dental Journal

Publication Link

https://edj.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Assessing Dental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Awareness Among Medical Practitioners in Benghazi, Libya

Details

Type

Article

Created At

27 Apr 2025