Elnaem Ibtihag S, Alghris Albandri M, Alenzi Layla H
Oral and Maxilofacial Surgery, University of Hail College of Dentistry, Hail, SAU.
Dental Surgery, University of Hail College of Dentistry, Hail, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Jul 11;16(7):e64334. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64334. eCollection 2024 Jul.
Aim and background Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a crucial medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and injuries affecting the oral cavity, jaw, and face. There is a lack of awareness about this field in the specific study area of hail. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and perception of maxillofacial surgery among healthcare professionals and the public. Methods The study included 225 participants, consisting of dental and medical professionals and the general public in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Convenience sampling was employed, and participants needed to be at least 20 years old and residents of Hail. A validated online questionnaire, translated into Arabic, was used for data collection. Results A proportion (78.2%) of dental professionals were aware of the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Among the general population and most medical professionals, the most commonly associated procedures with maxillofacial surgery were the treatment of injuries, bone fractures, and morphological changes in the mouth, jaw, and face, reported by 85.8% of the participants. Furthermore, 60.9% of the participants believed that maxillofacial surgery was the appropriate referral for cleft lip correction. Conclusion The study highlighted significant knowledge about the role of oral and maxillofacial surgeons among the target population. Out of the 225 participants, 137 participants (60.9%) chose the specialty of maxillofacial surgery for surgical intervention to treat cleft lips. Moreover, 75.1% (n = 169) of the participants had previously heard about oral and maxillofacial surgery, while 24.9% (n = 56) had never heard of this specialty. The findings also showed that 189 participants were not aware that a maxillofacial surgeon is responsible for treating severe deformities that cannot be eliminated using orthodontics, such as growth disorders, hypoplasia and hypoplasia of the lower jaw, and asymmetry of the lower jaw (prognathism and retrognathism of the jaw). To bridge this knowledge gap, it is crucial to implement targeted educational initiatives and awareness campaigns among both the general population and healthcare professionals. By increasing awareness and understanding of the specialized role of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, patient care can be optimized, and appropriate referrals to these specialists can be ensured. Clinical significance This study shows the importance of increasing awareness of oral and maxillofacial surgery among health professionals and the general public. Improved understanding of this specialty can lead to better patient outcomes and early referrals.
口腔颌面外科是一门重要的医学专业，专注于诊断、治疗和预防影响口腔、颌骨及面部的疾病与损伤。在海勒的特定研究区域，人们对该领域缺乏了解。本研究旨在评估医疗保健专业人员和公众对颌面外科手术的知识、认知及看法。方法：该研究纳入了225名参与者，包括沙特阿拉伯海勒的牙科和医学专业人员以及普通公众。采用便利抽样法，参与者需年满20岁且为海勒居民。使用一份翻译成阿拉伯语的经过验证的在线问卷进行数据收集。结果：一定比例（78.2%）的牙科专业人员知晓口腔颌面外科这一专业。在普通人群和大多数医学专业人员中，与颌面外科手术最常关联的手术是损伤治疗、骨折以及口腔、颌骨和面部的形态改变，85.8%的参与者报告了这一点。此外，60.9%的参与者认为颌面外科手术是唇裂矫正的合适转诊科室。结论：该研究凸显了目标人群对口腔颌面外科医生角色的显著了解。在225名参与者中，137名参与者（60.9%）选择颌面外科专业进行手术干预以治疗唇裂。此外，75.1%（n = 169）的参与者之前听说过口腔颌面外科，而24.9%（n = 56）从未听说过这个专业。研究结果还表明，189名参与者不知道颌面外科医生负责治疗无法通过正畸消除的严重畸形，如下颌生长障碍、发育不全和发育不良以及下颌不对称（下颌前突和下颌后缩）。为弥合这一知识差距，在普通人群和医疗保健专业人员中开展有针对性的教育举措和宣传活动至关重要。通过提高对口腔颌面外科医生专业角色的认识和理解，可以优化患者护理并确保向这些专科医生进行适当转诊。临床意义：本研究表明提高医疗保健专业人员和公众对口腔颌面外科手术认识的重要性。对该专业的更好理解可带来更好的患者治疗效果和早期转诊。
