An analysis of approach toward oral and maxillofacial surgery: A survey of 1800 health-care specialists, students, and general people in Odisha, India

AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the perception of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) by health-care professionals, students, and general public in the state of Odisha, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire form was formatted that listed ten clinical situations and given by hand to 1800 individuals, divided into six groups: Group I – general medical practitioners; Group II – specialties of dentistry; Group III – general dental practitioners; Group IV – medical students; Group V – dental students; and Group VI – general public, each comprising 300 individuals. Respondents were asked to indicate who they would expect to treat them if they had one of the specified conditions listed in the questionnaire. We present the results and current awareness levels of this simple questionnaire and in due course educate and inform the society about the treatment OMFS provides. RESULTS: Most of the respondents in Groups II, III, and V agreed that specific conditions listed in the questionnaire were within the domain of OMFS, but such response was not seen in Groups I, IV, and VI (P < 0.05). An overall awareness level of OMFS was found to be 50.8%. CONCLUSION: The liability and responsibility of creating and improving the awareness and perception of our specialty lies on oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Unified efforts at individual as well as global level will help achieve this goal.