Awareness and Perception of New AYUSH Guidelines among Dentists of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: A Questionnaire Survey

Introduction: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) is an alternative medical system and has found acceptance globally for its use of rich medical plants, minerals, and other natural commodities in treating different illness. In November 2020, AYUSH changed its curriculum guidelines for its postgraduate students, which allowed them to perform a variety of General Surgery, including Orthopaedic, Ophthalmology, Ear Nose Throat (ENT), and dental treatments.

Aim: To assess the awareness and perception among the dentists of these new AYUSH guidelines and to record their opinion.

Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2021 to February 2021. A self-constructed questionnaire of 15 questions was circulated via google forms. The response was collected from 123 dentists. Statistical analysis was done on the IBM software 24 version. Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between dentists’ awareness of dental procedures included under the new AYUSH curriculum and their perception of ayurvedic practitioners performing the dental treatment efficiently.

Results: Only 79 (64.2%) of dentists were aware of the term AYUSH and 53 (43%) dentists were aware of the new guidelines added to the postgraduate curriculum in AYUSH. About, 57.7% of dentists reported that the Ayurvedic practitioners cannot handle the complications occurring during dental procedures.

Conclusion: Dentists were not in favour of AYUSH practitioners performing dental treatments. The present study also concluded that dental procedures cannot be effectively and efficiently performed by AYUSH practitioners.