Knowledge, attitude, and practice of general practitioners regarding oral health and its integration into the medical curriculum: a cross-sectional study in Yazd, Iran

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is an integral part of overall well-being. General Practitioners (GPs), often the first point of contact in the healthcare system, play a crucial role in promoting oral health, especially in underserved areas. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of GPs in Yazd, Iran, regarding common oral diseases and to perform a needs assessment for integrating oral health topics into the medical education curriculum. METHOD: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 146 GPs in Yazd were evaluated using a validated electronic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18, employing descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Scheffe, and Chi-square tests at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 5.89 ± 2.11 out of 10, while the mean attitude score was 22.06 ± 2.97 out of 25. No significant differences were found in knowledge or attitude scores based on gender or method of oral health education (P > 0.05). However, GPs working in provincial capitals had significantly higher knowledge scores than those in towns (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude, age, and work experience (P < 0.05). The majority of physicians (92.4%) agreed to some extent with adding oral health topics to the GP curriculum. CONCLUSION: While GPs demonstrated a positive attitude, their knowledge of oral health was insufficient. There is a strong consensus among GPs to integrate oral health education into the medical curriculum, preferably during the internship or stagiaire (apprenticeship) period, to enhance their competence and improve community oral health outcomes.