Regular dental attendance and periodontal health knowledge: A cross‐sectional survey

Objectives To explore dental clinics’ performance on periodontal education by comparing knowledge about periodontal health of regular and inconsistent dental attenders. Subjects and Methods A population‐based study with a cross‐sectional design was performed in Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Particip...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oral diseases 2020-03, Vol.26 (2), p.419-428
Main Authors: Varela‐Centelles, Pablo, Diz‐Iglesias, Pedro, Estany‐Gestal, Ana, Blanco‐Hortas, Andrés, Bugarín‐González, Rosendo, Seoane‐Romero, Juan M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dental Care - statistics & numerical data
dental clinics
dental health education
Dentistry
dentists
Female
Gum disease
Humans
Knowledge
Male
Middle Aged
patient education
Patient Education as Topic
Periodontal Diseases
periodontitis
Population studies
Spain
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:Objectives To explore dental clinics’ performance on periodontal education by comparing knowledge about periodontal health of regular and inconsistent dental attenders. Subjects and Methods A population‐based study with a cross‐sectional design was performed in Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Participants were randomly selected from 16 different areas and a questionnaire applied face‐to‐face. The survey included items on socio‐demographic features, habits and routines, periodontal status and periodontal health knowledge. Participants were grouped according to the median of overall knowledge, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between good periodontal knowledge and frequency of dental visits. Results A total of 8,206 individuals were invited to enter the study, and 3,553 of them accepted the invitation (43.3%). Most participants (59.3%; n = 1,945) fit within the regular dental attenders’ group. Younger women holding a university degree and visiting their dentist regularly elicited higher knowledge about periodontal health. Regular use of dental services increased the chances of being in the higher knowledge group (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.40–2.00). Conclusions Reported regular dental attendance is related to periodontal health knowledge. Specific interventions for promoting tailored patient education on periodontal topics during routine dental visits may have a positive effect on laypersons’ knowledge about periodontal health.
ISSN:1354-523X
1601-0825
DOI:10.1111/odi.13243