Knowledge and Attitudes about Epilepsy: A Survey of Dentists in London, Ontario

Background: The controversial relation between societal knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy may affect the access of people with epilepsy to dental care.Materials and Methods: A questionnaire that evaluated knowledge about epilepsy, attitudes toward epilepsy and willingness to provide dental care to people with epilepsy was administered to all 288 dentists in the city of London, Ontario, Canada.Results: Of the 197 respondents, 75.6% were general dentists. Knowledge was patchy about the epidemiology, causes, treatment and recognition of epilepsy. Six percent of dentists did not think that they could safely treat a patient with epilepsy in their offices.Conclusion: Dental care providers' negative attitudes to and lack of knowledge about epilepsy may directly affect the access to dental care for people living with this problem.