Evaluation the dentists’ awareness of inherited bleeding disorders and anticoagulants in Shiraz

BACKGROUND: Some of the dental procedures can cause bleeding. Bleeding control can be difficult in some patients because of systemic disease or chronic anticoagulant therapy, so they may be at increased risk for bleeding occurrences or even death following invasive dental procedures. This study was schemed to measure the knowledge of general dentists in Shiraz city regarding coagulation tests performed in bleeding disorders during 2011 to 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical study, a questionnaire (consist 23 questions) was designed with the help of specialists in the field of oral medicine and hematology. This questionnaire was distributed among 146 general practitioners. Collected information was analyzed with SPSS version 16. RESULTS: The mean mark for dentist’s knowledge was 9.40 ± 1.30 (categorized moderate level). There was no significant difference in the mean knowledge scores among male and female dentists. Tukey’s test displayed a significant difference in the mean knowledge level among 21 to 30 years old and over forty years' old dentists (p< 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that knowledge of the dentists regarding bleeding disorders is not at optimal level which needs planning for continuing education courses.