Knowledge of periodontal diseases, oral hygiene practices, and self-reported periodontal problems among patients visiting a tertiary dental care centre in Trivandrum, Kerala

Abstract

: The prevalence of periodontal diseases is increasing globally. This can be attributed to the deficits in the health care system, especially in educating the public about periodontal diseases, and oral hygiene practices. This issue is more severe among people living in remote and rural areas where accessibility to dental health care education is difficult. This study aims to assess the oral hygiene practices, knowledge of periodontal diseases, and self-reported periodontal problems among adults visiting the tertiary dental care centre in Trivandrum, Kerala: This cross-sectional study employed a pretested and validated questionnaire to assess the three main constructs of periodontal knowledge, practices, and self-reported periodontal health issues among adults aged more than 18 years. All the patients who visited the outpatient department of periodontology at Government Dental College, who gave informed consent were administered the questionnaire.: Two hundred and twenty-nine study participants responded with a slight female gender predilection. 89.1% reported periodontal health problems. Good knowledge of periodontal diseases and oral hygiene practices was seen among 48.5% and 44.1% of the study respondents. Rural residents were found to be at a higher risk of poor periodontal knowledge and oral hygiene practices, and more self-reported periodontal health issues. The level of education also showed a significant association with periodontal knowledge and practices.: The findings of the study shed light on the need for devising effective educational interventions to improve the periodontal knowledge and practices of adults. Incorporating health promotional interventions into the clinical treatment regime, designing a hospital setting-based intervention with the help of house surgeons and post-graduates, and reinforcement of health education at regular intervals were a few recommendations to enhance the knowledge, practices and the oral health care seeking nature of general population.