Table
4: Physicians’
Suggestions for Improving the Interface between Oral and Overall Health
|
Item (n = 62) |
Mean (SD) |
Disagree/Strongly Disagree N (%) |
Neutral N (%) |
Agree/Strongly Agree N
(%) |
|
a.
Oral
health should be more closely regarded as an important component of overall
medical care. (n = 61) |
4.13 (0.8) |
3 (4.9) |
5 (8.2) |
53 (86.9) |
|
b.
Dentistry
should be identified as a medical sub-specialty. |
3.02
(1.2) |
23 37.1) |
15
(24.2) |
24 (38.7) |
|
c.
Drug
labelling materials need to clarify that dental disease are infections. (n = 61) |
3.46
(0.8) |
5 (8.2) |
28
(45.9) |
28 (45.9) |
|
d.
Medicare
should cover medically essential dental care/services. |
4.34
(1.0) |
3
(4.8) |
6 (9.7) |
53 (85.5) |
|
e.
Drug
labelling should be modified as necessary to improve patients’ understanding
of the relationship between oral disease and risk of medical complications. |
4.02
(0.8) |
1(1.6) |
14 (22.6) |
47 (75.8) |
|
f.
There
is a need for more inter-professional care by primary care providers in
managing the oral and overall health concerns of patients. (n = 61) |
3.97
(0.7) |
- |
14 (23.0) |
47 (77.0) |
|
g.
There
is need for improved integration of dentistry with other primary health care
services. |
4.05
(0.76) |
2 (3.2) |
10 (16.1) |
50
(80.6) |