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

Varela‐Centelles, Pablo; Diz‐Iglesias, Pedro; Estany‐Gestal, Ana; Blanco‐Hortas, Andrés; Bugarín‐González, Rosendo; Seoane‐Romero, Juan M.

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.

SPAIN; CONFIDENCE intervals; DENTAL clinics; DENTAL health education; DENTIST-patient relationship; HABIT; ORAL hygiene; PATIENT education; PERIODONTITIS; QUESTIONNAIRES; STATISTICAL sampling; SEX distribution; SURVEYS; LOGISTIC regression analysis; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; EDUCATIONAL attainment; CROSS-sectional method; HEALTH literacy; ODDS ratio

Oral Diseases, 2020, Vol 26, Issue 2, p419

1354-523X

Academic Journal

10.1111/odi.13243