Why must physicians know about oral diseases?
BACKGROUND
Poor oral health reflects social inequalities, hence the prevention of oral diseases should be a priority in developed and underdeveloped countries around the world. Medical practitioners must play an active role in oral health promotion.


CONCLUSIONS
Proper knowledge of oral diseases is crucial in medical practice due to the following reasons: (a) Periodontal disease is associated with multiple systemic conditions of medical interest, (b) a large number of systemic diseases have oral manifestations, (c) many drugs are associated with oral adverse drug reactions, (d) physicians are generally not sufficiently trained to detect oral cancer manifestations, (e) physicians could play a pivotal role in oral public health, and (f) early detection of oral diseases by physicians could improve the oral health status of the population.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians need to get more involved in oral health promotion. Moreover, oral health education should be included in the curriculum of future medical students.
Ramirez
Jorge Hernán
JH
Peridontal Medicine Group, School of Dentistry, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. jorgehramirez31@yahoo.com
Arce
Roger
R
Contreras
Adolfo
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010819:Physician's Role; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*