Knowledge of Orthodontics among Medical and Dental Undergraduate Students in the University of Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The knowledge of orthodontics and orthodontic treatment by caregivers is the most important and essential pre-requisite to positioning them to give better treatments to patients, or to make good referrals. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and create awareness of Orthodontics among medical and dental students in a Nigerian (tertiary) institution
Methods:  Data collection was via self-administered questionnaires, distributed to 450 medical and dental students at the University of
Calabar. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 26. Categorical variables were
summarized using proportions and percentages. The main outcome variable, knowledge, was analyzed with the aid of percentages, and tests of association such as chi-square, were used to ascertain and test hypotheses. All statistics and tests were presented at the 95% confidence level.
Results:  Most participants (69.0%) had heard of orthodontists. About 67.7% of respondents were aware that orthodontists can properly
position teeth. Also73.9% of the respondents were not aware of the aetiological factors of improperly positioned teeth.
Conclusion:  This survey recorded a peripheral knowledge and awareness of orthodontics among the respondents. An in-depth
knowledge of orthodontics was lacking among them. The dental students demonstrated a higher level of awareness and knowledge,
though this was expected. Hence the need to further stress the importance of incorporating basic knowledge of dental specialties in the medical curriculum