DENTAL STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD DIABETES COUNSELLING, MONITORING, AND SCREENING- A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that cause complications during dental treatments. For dental students a proper knowledge of diabetes’ mellitus is required for various levels of treatment because of its by directional relationship with dental diseases. . To date, there is no data on the attitude of dental students regarding the counselling for diabetes, its monitoring, screening and glucometer use. A survey was planned with an aim  to assess attitude of the final year dental students and interns towards counselling for diabetes, its monitoring, screening and glucometer use in Davangere city. A questionnaire based cross sectional survey was used for data collection consisting of 16 closed ended questions having a five-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics chi-square test. The mean score ±standard deviation of the participant for the scope and responsibility domain was 3.34±0.52. For the barriers experienced mean score (standard deviation) was at 2.24±0.81 and for the glucometer use the mean score (standard deviation) was at 2.69(0.83). No statistically significant difference was found between the mean score and the with respect to their academic year or their gender for the scope and responsibility score. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference found for the barrier item score and for the glucometer use items score for gender as well as the academic year.  There was good level of agreement for all the items in the scope and responsibility items. The endorsement of the barrier score items was less uniform.