Knowledge and awareness of jaw relation among dental interns: A questionnaire survey

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to explore the awareness among the interns regarding the jaw relation procedures. Jaw relation is one of the most important criteria for the fabrication of complete dentures to provide a satisfactory oral function for the aging population. Settings and Design: The study design was a descriptive survey. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed among 202 interns in three different colleges in Salem and Namakkal in Tamil Nadu using Stratified Proportionate Random Sampling Technique. The survey included a questionnaire with ten questions to assess the knowledge and awareness of jaw relation procedures among the interns. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical tools used to analyze the levels of awareness among the interns were frequencies and percentage analysis. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to investigate the relationship between awareness among interns, with respect to gender, age, and complete dentures done, with the level of significance at P < 0.05 using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software version 23. Results: The awareness prevalent regarding jaw relation and its procedures among the respondents was 83%. There was a statistically significant relationship between maximum complete dentures done and awareness among interns (P < 0.001). Complete dentures made a significant contribution to the prediction of awareness (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: To improve the awareness among the interns increased educational programs, clinical training and greater patient exposure to the clinical application of jaw relation procedures to construct complete dentures are needed during their undergraduate education.

Keywords

• awareness
• complete dentures
• dentists
• jaw relation
• knowledge