Cognizance of precision dental medicine among Indian dentists

Abstract

Background: Dental care providers play a pivotal role in administering precision dental medicine (PDM) to their patients. Nevertheless, the lack of acquaintance about pharmacogenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc., may restrict the ability of dentists to advise patients or employ test results. The objective of the study was to evaluate the cognizance of PDM among Indian dentists. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was designed. The questionnaire was sent to 500 Indian dentists through e-mail and social media. The results were analyzed by SPSS software version 19. Chi-square test was used to find the association between their qualifications/experience and knowledge of PDM. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 500, 358 dentists reverted back to the questionnaire. While 122 (32%) dentists knew about this term, only one (0.81%) out of these 122 dentists used a biomarker assay and only one answered both the genomics-based questions correctly. Knowledge of PDM among dentists was independent of their qualifications or experience as suggested by results of Chi-square test (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Results of the study highlighted that knowledge about PDM is meager among practicing dentists in India. Nevertheless, all who knew about PDM understand its importance. Incorporation of PDM at undergraduate level will not only familiarize them but also motivate them to pick up this topic for research.