An Audit Of Health And Ageing Online Resources: Evaluating Information On Periodontitis And Cardiovascular Disease Associations

Abstract

Abstract Background In 2019 the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and the World Heart Federation (WHF) organized a review of the literature concerning periodontal disease (PD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This was to update the existing evidence from a 2012 review. The consensus report established a strong link between severe PD and CVD, however, this vital information may not be reaching the public who stand to benefit from it. Methods A web-based audit to assess the dissemination of information on the PD-CVD association was conducted. Ninety English language websites of foundations, health authorities, and associations focused on aging (54), CVD (21), and general health (15) were included. Dental organisations were excluded. Using Boolean search criteria, websites were examined for webpages informing of the PD-CVD link published in 2019 or later. Pages with the information published before 2019 were also recorded separately. Broken links, paywalled content, and information solely on infective endocarditis were excluded. Pages without metadata on publishing dates were considered older than five years. Results Only 8 (8.8%) sites contained information on the PD-CVD link within the past five years of which 5 (5.5%) gave actionable guidance on how to improve oral health. An additional 9 sites (10%) offering the information were recorded but were older than five years. Conclusion This study reveals a concerning gap in translating research findings from the highest levels of evidence to online resources accessible to the public. This highlights a missed opportunity to empower individuals. The siloed nature of dentistry, with limited collaboration between dental professionals and other health care providers, might be a contributing factor. These findings highlight the need for improved communication strategies and collaborative efforts to bridge this knowledge gap and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their oral and overall health.