Knowledge about risk factors associated with periodontal disease among patients referred to a specialist periodontal clinic

By Dr. Giovanni Serino et al.

Mon. 22. August 2016

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Objective: The patient’s awareness and knowledge of periodontal disease is a key factor for successful periodontal treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate this knowledge among patients referred to a specialist periodontal clinic.

Methods: 145 consecutive patients referred for treatment of periodontitis were asked about the causes/risk factors associated to periodontitis. Their answers were collated into the following groups: genetics/inheritance, stress, smoking, poor oral hygiene/bacteria, systemic disease (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, medicine intake).

Results: Among the 145 patients referred, 60% had some knowledge about the causes of or risk factors associated to periodontal disease. Among these 87 patients, poor oral hygiene/bacteria was the most mentioned cause (40.6%), followed by smoking (22.9%). Genetics/inheritance, stress and systemic disease were seldom reported. The majority of the patients (70.1%) with knowledge about periodontal disease had received information about the disease from the dental staff, while the rest had acquired their knowledge from other sources.

Conclusion: The knowledge about the etiology of periodontal disease among the referred patients was poor since 40% had not received any information about the disease. In order to treat and control periodontal disease effectively, programs with a focus on improving both professional and patient awareness of periodontal disease are needed.

Editorial note: The full article was published in the 2/2016 issue of the Journal of Oral Science and Rehabilitation. Access the full article at www.dtscience.com.