Knowledge, Perception, and Awareness of the Specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Among the Public and Medical Field in Hail, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

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.