North Carolina Cardiologists' Knowledge, Opinions and Practice Behaviors Regarding the Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease and Periodontal Disease

The purpose of this study was to address cardiologists' knowledge, opinions and practice behaviors regarding oral systemic health. A survey was developed, revised, pilot tested and mailed to 625 licensed, practicing cardiologists' in NC. Three mailings were conducted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The response rate was 19% (N=119). Respondents were mostly males (86%) and working in private group practice (48%) or academia (32%). Sixty percent of respondents stated that medical students and dental students should be trained to work corroboratively. Half of cardiologists' surveyed are unsure that treatment of PD can decrease a patient's risk for CVD. The majority are interested in learning more about the relationship between CVD and Periodontitis. It is important for educators and administrators in higher education to examine the need for interprofessional education and collaboration between medicine and dentistry.Master of Scienc