KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PRACTICE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, HOUSE SURGEONS AND POST GRADUATE STUDENTS OF DENTISTRY ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN DENTAL OFFICE: A KAP STUDY

Introduction: In dental practice medical emergencies are generally perceived as being rare. Nonetheless, studies have shown that these incidents do occur on a regular basis. Therefore, Dentists should have the necessary knowledge and skills to manage life-threatening situations in their dental practice.

Objective: To analyze the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of dental students towards Emergency medical care (EMC) and its Management.

Materials and Methods: Total 231 Under-graduate and Post graduate students took part in the study. Participants filled out form with 25 questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice towards EMC.

Statistical Analysis: The results were assessed, and analyzed using Non-Parametric tests like Kruskal-Wllis, Mann-Whitney tests. p<0.05 taken as significant.

Results: Among all these participants, overall mean knowledge score for Post graduate students is 22.62 (90.48%), for house surgeons 19.84 (79.36%), for house surgeons 15.53 (62.12%) out of 25 questions. Intergroup comparison shows significance in knowledge score among undergraduate and post graduate students (p<0.05) and also between undergraduate students and house surgeons (p<0.05). In section wise comparisons there is no significant difference found with mean knowledge scores of undergraduate students, interns, and post graduate students regarding questions on angina, oral anti coagulation drugs.

Conclusion: The evaluation data clearly show the Undergraduate students need to deal with topics of emergency medical care within the undergraduate dental program. This study also enlightens the need for Post Graduate students to regularly update the knowledge and skills regarding Emergency Medical Care (EMC) in dental office.