KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES (KAP) TOWARDS AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA, HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH) AND ITS USE IN DENTISTRY AMONG DENTAL PROFESSIONALS.

Abstract

WHO (World Health Organization) accepts that traditional systems will continue to play an important part in providing services to very large numbers of people, particularly in rural areas India has rich tradition of healing. A vast amount of medical knowledge has evolved in India over thousands of years, through trial and error in exchange and assimilation between diverse cultures. . In recent times, dental health care approaches also used holistic methods like Ayurveda, Homeopathy ad Naturopathy etc in managing diseases and conditions related to oral and related structures. Objective: To assess Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) towards Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) and its use in Dentistry among Dental Professionals. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among n=400 dental professionals of dental colleges in and around Chandigarh. Questionnaire was used and data was analyzed using SPSS 21.ver. Results: Out of total 400 subjects 163(41%) were males and 237(59%) were females. When knowledge of AYUSH is assessed 63% had knowledge about term complementary and alternative medicine, As much as 59% subjects wished to learn AYUSH and its use in dentistry. Among users of AYUSH treatment 73% subjects found it effective. Conclusion: Majority of subjects have a positive attitude towards AYUSH and wished to learn its use in dentistry. This makes us feel that AYUSH can be integrated with existing dental curriculum.