Assessment of Dental Patients' Awareness of the Correlation Between Systemic and Periodontal Diseases: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Abstract

The correlation between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases has been proven. Considering the high prevalence of periodontitis, as well as the high prevalence of systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and anemia, in Saudi Arabia, patients visiting dental clinics need to be educated about this correlation. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness levels of dental patients on the correlation between periodontal and systemic diseases and compare the awareness levels of the population based on their gender, educational level, and age group specifications. The awareness level of patients was assessed using a questionnaire consisting of 18 questions about the correlation between periodontal and systemic health, along with demographic data (gender, age, and educational level). The questionnaire was distributed to randomly chosen patients who were attending Qassim University dental clinics. Patients could select their responses from three options: "yes," "no," and "no idea." The awareness level of patients was categorized based on their educational qualifications, age, and gender. A total of 252 patients participated in the study. Out of the 252 patients, 116 (46%) were male, and the remaining 136 (54%) were female. Females were found to be more aware of the correlation between pregnancy and anemia, independently, and periodontal diseases. Additionally, younger age groups were found to be more aware of the interaction between periodontal diseases and hyperparathyroidism. However, the awareness level based on educational qualification was almost equivalent between high school and college graduates. The general public of the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia needs to be educated further on the correlation between systemic and periodontal disease. Being part of the community, we wish to contribute to improving the level of awareness about the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases, as our study has concluded that more efforts are required to achieve higher health standards.