JHSM
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine (JHSM) is an unbiased, peer-reviewed, and open access international medical journal. The Journal publishes interesting clinical and experimental research conducted in all fields of medicine, interesting case reports, and clinical images, invited reviews, editorials, letters, comments, and related knowledge.

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Original Article
Evaluation of family physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and awareness on orthodontic treatments and oral health
Abstract
Aims: Aims: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of family physicians regarding orthodontic treatments and oral health, which are primary aspects of general healthcare services.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in 2023 with the participation of 309 family physicians from Diyarbakır and surrounding provinces. A total of 20 questions, including 16 questions to assess knowledge of orthodontic treatments and oral health, and 4 sociodemographic questions, were administered online to the participating physicians.
Results: Among the physicians who participated in the study, 69.58% had over six years of professional experience, and 65.05% examined more than 51 patients per day. It was observed that 33.01% of the physicians had knowledge about orthodontic treatments. Of the physicians in our study, 24.92% recommended an annual oral and dental examination, while 32.36% reported that they referred patients with observed dental crowding during clinical examinations to an orthodontist/specialist. A statistically significant relationship was found between professional experience and both orthodontic awareness and the likelihood of providing oral hygiene care recommendations to patients (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Regular in-service training sessions should be provided to family physicians to enhance their knowledge and awareness of oral and dental health, orthodontic malocclusions, and preventive and interceptive treatments.

Keywords : Family physician, public health, orthodontics, oral health

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Article available in :
Volume 8, Issue 1, 2025
Page : 18-28
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1557014
Article Information
Received : 29 Eyl 2024
Accepted : 15 Kas 2024
Published : 12 Oca 2025
Corresponding Author :

Nursezen Kavasoğlu: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Batman University, Batman, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Kavasoğlu N, Giray Tekin G, Çetin SG. Evaluation of family physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and awareness on orthodontic treatments and oral health. J Health Sci Med. 2025;8(1):18-28.

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