Assessing the Knowledge of the Patients about the Scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Introduction: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a comparatively new surgical specialty that primarily emphasizes identifying and managing disorders of the head and neck, bridging dentistry and medicines. Objectives: The basic aim of the study is to assess the knowledge of the patients about the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Material and methods: This cross-sectional survey was done in Peshawar, Pakistan, between April 1, 2020, to May 30, 2020, with a total of two hundred and sixty-five participants (n = 265). Individuals from the general population, licensed dentists, and medical experts from the private and public healthcare sectors participated in this study. Results: We surveyed 256 participants, of whom 39% were illiterate. 94% of those individuals were unaware of a department called maxillofacial surgery that specializes in treating head, neck, and face illnesses. 19% of the population was in elementary school, of which only 2% were aware of a "special doctor" for their requirements since their parents were concerned about their illness and were finally referred by another doctor (80%) or a relative (20%). 15% of students with secondary/intermediate education and 5% of those recognized maxillofacial surgeons as acceptable physicians for their treatment, primarily for dental extractions and/or palatal cleft patients who had been receiving therapy from infancy or post-operative TMJ ankyloses patients. Conclusion: Much of the common public was not aware of the scope of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. While the majority of medical graduates surveyed knew that maxillofacial surgeons treat facial injuries, the vast majority did not know that these specialists treat a wide variety of certain other disorders affecting the head and neck. The need for spreading awareness among the population regarding the domains of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is evident.