Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal health knowledge and awareness among a cohort of dental patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: One thousand adult patients attending King Khaled University Hospital and the Dental Hospital, King Saud University, in Riyadh, KSA, were recruited to the study. The subjects completed a questionnaire that aimed to evaluate their level of awareness on etiology, risk factors, and preventive measures related to periodontal disease. Results: The study sample showed adequate awareness and general knowledge on signs and symptoms of periodontal diseases as well as risk factors for their development. Data also suggested great knowledge of oral hygiene measures for maintaining good oral hygiene. However, a low level of awareness was reported for the exact etiology of periodontal disease, as indicated by the fact that about 65% of respondents did not know or declined the fact that plaque causes periodontal disease. The participants also demonstrated a low level of awareness of the association between periodontal diseases and systemic conditions, such as coronary heart diseases and premature birth. Conclusion: The results of this study showed extensive variations and knowledge gaps between different aspects related to periodontal disease. In order for comprehensive oral health educational programs to be effective and to achieve their goals, they should be designed to fulfill these knowledge gaps and tailored to target the areas of least awareness, such as etiology and systemic conditions association.
Highlights
Periodontal diseases include all pathological conditions of the periodontium, but commonly refers to inflammatory conditions that are induced by dental plaque namely, gingivitis and periodontitis
While 90% of respondents stated that bleeding gums are a sign of periodontal disease, only 34%, 47%, 57%, 34% stated that bone loss, mobile teeth, gingival recession, tooth migration are signs of periodontal disease, respectively (Table 2)
The public needs to develop a deeper understanding of the etiopathogenesis, risk factors associated with periodontal diseases, and various practices and attitudes that contribute to the prevention of the condition [11, 12]
Summary
Periodontal diseases include all pathological conditions of the periodontium, but commonly refers to inflammatory conditions that are induced by dental plaque namely, gingivitis and periodontitis. The prevalence of periodontal diseases generally increases with age and is directly related to poor oral hygiene and plaque accumulation. 460 The Open Dentistry Journal, 2020, Volume 14 evaluate periodontal status in adults in Central Saudi Arabia and found that around 50% of the studied households presented with active periodontal disease. Their results indicated that, in subjects aged [20-64] yr, 21-32% had periodontal pockets of [4,5,6] mm while less than 8% of subjects younger than 35 yr old had pockets of 6 mm or greater. Those aged between [35-44] years had the most severe periodontitis, with over 18% having pockets of 6 mm or greater
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