Abstract

Oral cavity is a dwelling where landmarks of many systemic diseases are evident and they give a sign to probe more to identify the hidden disease which only becomes evident after they get complicated. A dentist is a person who has to examine the oral cavity thoroughly; hence he/she has a chance to catch developing insidious disease process if they perform investigation of their dental patients properly. Our study evaluated all three components of the procedure of medical condition assessment that are (1) history taking skills HTS (2) Examination skills ES and (3) investigatory skills IS. These skills enable a dentist to possess imperative position in controlling diseases in initial stages by referring the patient to concerned consultant. Not only the medical conditions are better and timely managed but dental treatment is delivered with superior care with holistic approach of patient overall health. Our study concluded that dentists and third and final year dental students of Dow University of Health Sciences are practicing medical condition assessment in a satisfactory manner. However, undergraduate students need more emphasis on complete medical history taking skill.

Methodology:
The study was conducted at all three dental colleges of Dow University of Health Sciences; from May 2016 to June 2016 to a sample of dental students and dental faculty members by convenience sampling. This was a cross sectional study. Total 450 surveys forms were distributed among faculty members, post graduates and undergraduates dental students. The data was analyzed on IBM SPSS version 24.0 and the results were presented as frequency and percentages for all skills, demographics like gender, designation and sciences except age presented as mean ± SD. Statistical association were performed using Chi-square test.
Result:
Most of the participants of the study that is (n=246) 78.1% answered that they always take complete medical history at first visit. The medical examination skills of participants were satisfactory that is (n=52) 78.8% for male while female participants showed (n=172) 69.1%.The practice of lab investigation for systemic diseases were satisfactory for male participants (n=38) 57.6% as well as for female participants (n=165) 66.3%.
Conclusions:
It was concluded that practice of medical history taking, medical examination and lab investigations by dental professionals is performed wellat DUHS.Dentist skills were not dependent on gender, designation and basic or clinical sciences.Since only significant result was found for history taking with designation. It is recommended to put more emphasis on medical history taking skills of dental undergraduate in DUHS.

Key words: medical assessment, investigatory skills, medical screening