Determination of the knowledge level of adult patients about periodontal and dental health in southeast Turkey: a cross sectional study and epidemiological research

Abstract

The study aims to determine the level of knowledge about periodontal and dental health and the prevalence of periodontal diseases of adult patients in the southeast region of Turkey. Material and Method: The study included 10 thousand patients aged 18 to 77 years. To gather information about demographic characteristics, oral hygiene, oral care habits, and periodontal status, a questionnaire of 15 questions were applied to the participants. The probing pocket depth (PPD) of all patients participated in the research were measured from 4 surfaces of the teeth. The collected data was analyzed statistically. Results: In this study, there was a statistically significant difference between gender and age and between those who went to dental doctors when had a toothache and those brushing teeth twice a day (p<0.001). The proportion of the respondents to these two questions was the highest in women and 18-30 age groups. There was a significant difference between halitosis and gum bleeding and between periodontal condition and education of level (p<0.001). The proportion of those who answered these two questions was found to be higher in those with periodontitis and high school-level education. In terms of periodontitis, men are at risk of 1.33 times more (95% CI: 1.23-1.45) compared to women, and age group of 44-56 years is at risk of 1.73 times more (95% CI: 1.41-2.53) compared to the age group of 18-30 years. Conclusion: According to the survey results, the majority of participants have knowledge about periodontal and dental health, but we think that individuals do not perform oral care to maintain oral and dental health due to the high prevalence of periodontal disease. The validity of this questionnaire can be investigated in larger population field studies.