Methods: A convenience sample of physicians was selected using members of the New Hampshire Medical Society (NHMS) who had an email address on file. A 33 question web based survey was created in SNAP survey design software, and hosted on the Northeast Delta Dental website. The NHMS sent two emails with a link to the survey inviting members to participate. The incentive for participation was $500 charitable donation to the NHMS foundation if 10% of members participated (n=120) sponsored by Northeast Delta Dental. Results were cleaned in excel, and analyzed using epi info and displayed with excel. All demographic variables were cross tabulated with survey questions and results were analyzed.
Results: The 33 questions survey addressed the oral-systemic health knowledge attitudes and practices of physicians. The survey response rate was 5% (n=63). There were statistically significant variations based on the number of years in practice, and adequacy of training to describe oral conditions (p=.01). There was also a difference between years in practice and reporting adequacy of training to screen for periodontal disease (p=.03). There was no difference in responses by gender where (p=.05). There were differences between specialties when responding to attitude (p=.01) and practice (p=.01) questions related to oral health, and attitude (p=.03) and practice (p=.003) screening for periodontal disease during pregnancy. There were differences between specialties when responding to knowledge, attitude, and practice questions related to early childhood caries K (p=.00001) A (p=.00001) and P(p=.03), and fluoride varnish K(p=.03) A(p=.005) and P(p=00001).
Conclusion: There is a difference between specialties by specialty training when responding to issues of oral-systemic health.