The Knowledge and Practices among Orthodontists in managing Periodontal Health - A Cross-sectional Study

Background : Due to the increasing number of orthodontic patients, there is a surge in periodontal complications related to orthodontic tooth movements. Orthodontists frequently encounter periodontal issues during or after the treatment. It is important to understand orthodontists' knowledge and practice regarding maintaining their patients' 2 periodontal health. Therefore, the main objective of this survey is to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and professional practices of Saudi orthodontists in managing periodontal complications in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Methods : A cross-sectional survey was designed, and a validated questionnaire consisting of 27 questions was distributed online among the Saudi Orthodontists. This questionnaire was divided into demographic information, clinical practice, patient management practices, and perceptions of periodontal complications. The chi-square association test was used to find the significant association between two categorical variables. The P-value was set at 0.05. Results : One hundred orthodontists responded to the survey. A mixed opinion of orthodontists on periodontal complications and referrals were recorded. Only 24% of orthodontists believed that periodontal care is important during orthodontic treatment. However, almost all the participants were aware of periodontal complications, but only 4% of practicing orthodontists referred their patients for periodontal assessments. During the treatment, orthodontists never or occasionally performed periodontal care, and only a few orthodontists explained to the patient the importance of maintaining oral hygiene. Conclusions : This survey reported the discrepancies in the knowledge and practice of Saudi orthodontists regarding periodontal management. Continuing educational development is required to improve the understanding of orthodontists about managing periodontal complications associated with orthodontic treatment