Recognition of the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery by the public and health care professionals.
OBJECTIVE
A recent British study has reported a lack of awareness among the general public as to the benefits provided by the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). Medical and dental practitioners surveyed had a greater awareness of OMFS than the general public, yet were deficient in knowledge of the wide range of services provided by them. Therefore, a similar survey was conducted in the Boston area to determine the awareness among the general public and health professionals of the proper providers of treatment for the maxillofacial region and the level of knowledge of the specialty of OMFS.


METHODS
The study incorporated five groups of respondents: dental students, dental practitioners, medical students, medical practitioners, and the general public. The survey was mailed, or distributed, randomly to persons representing each group in the Boston area. Between 200 and 300 surveys were sent to each group, and data collection was stopped at 100 responses per group. Surveys from the general public were screened to eliminate responders involved in health professions. For each of 20 specific situations or treatments, respondents were asked to choose a source of treatment from among four categories of specialists: ear nose and throat surgery (ENT), plastic surgery, OMFS, and periodontology. A chi-square analysis was performed for each question to compare the pattern of responses among categories of respondents.


RESULTS
The data showed that most of the health professionals, 90% of students, and 98% of practitioners had heard of OMFS, whereas only 62% of the public have heard of this specialty. Furthermore, only 22% of the lay responders had ever been treated by an OMFS. The results also suggested that many health professionals had a lack of understanding about the wide scope of surgical procedures that OMFSs offer.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite all the progress that has occurred in OMFS, a large portion of the American population is still unaware of the specialty. If patients are to receive the best treatment available, it is essential to educate health care consumers and providers about the different specialties available and their role within the health profession.
Hunter
M J
MJ
Boston University Medical Center, MA 02118, USA.
Rubeiz
T
T
Rose
L
L
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001900:Boston; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010517:Periodontics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011639:Public Opinion; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires