title: Knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of endocrinologists and dentists for the relationship between diabetes and periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare the opinions of dentists and endocrinologists regarding diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontitis, and to investigate the possible effects on their practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data were collected from 297 endocrinologists and 134 dentists practicing in southern China using two separated questionnaires. Questions were close-ended or Likert-scaled. Statistical analyses were done by descriptive statistics, bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with endocrinologists, dentists presented more favorable attitudes for the relationship of DM and periodontitis (P<0.001). 61.2% of dentists reported they would frequently refer patients with severe periodontitis for DM evaluation, while only 26.6% of endocrinologists reported they would frequently advise patients with DM to visit a dentist. Nearly all of the respondents (94.4%) agreed that the interdisciplinary collaboration should be strengthened. The logistic regression analysis exhibited that respondents with more favorable attitudes were more likely to advise a dental visit (P=0.003) or to screen for DM (P=0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endocrinologists and dentists are not equally equipped with the knowledge about the relationship between DM and periodontitis, and there is a wide gap between their practice and the current evidence, especially for endocrinologists. It's urgent to take measures to develop the interdisciplinary education and collaboration among the health care providers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, S253 Industry Boulevard, Guangzhou 510282, China.
authors.forename: Hanxiao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, S253 Industry Boulevard, Guangzhou 510282, China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Southern Medical University, S1023 Shatai Boulevard, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Yuxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, S253 Industry Boulevard, Guangzhou 510282, China.
authors.forename: Duan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College of Jinan University, No. 396 Tong Fu Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510220, China.
authors.forename: Ruyi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, S366 Jiangnan Boulevard, Guangzhou 510280, China.
authors.forename: Yeungyeung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, S366 Jiangnan Boulevard, Guangzhou 510280, China.
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, S366 Jiangnan Boulevard, Guangzhou 510280, China.
authors.forename: Jincai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, S366 Jiangnan Boulevard, Guangzhou 510280, China. Electronic address: xuanxuan187@126.com.
authors.forename: Dongying
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003815:Dentists / Q000592:standards*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004704:Endocrinology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Awareness; Dentists; Diabetes; Endocrinologists; Periodontitis; Relationship