Periodontal awareness and what it actually means: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To assess periodontal awareness among laypersons, to characterize the very aware of periodontitis and to disclose whether high awareness implies sufficient periodontal knowledge.

Subjects And Methods: Cross-sectional study on laypersons randomly selected by quota sampling from March 2015 to June 2016. The questionnaire of periodontal awareness included aspects of aetiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, related risks, prevention, treatment and related attitudes. It was applied by 12 interviewers in the community in each four province capitals, in a sort of pathfinder survey method.

Results: A 43.3% response rate was obtained, and 3,553 people entered the study. "Very aware": 19.4%. "Aware": 42.7%. "Not aware": 37.9%. Age, oral self-care and educational achievements characterized those "very aware." Any additional degree beyond compulsory education halves the chances for being "not periodontally aware." Very aware people likely to have periodontitis were elder, less educated, with a smoking history and less knowledge of the disease. Gaps of knowledge among the "very aware" were identified in all aspects except for "prevention" and "treatment.".

Conclusions: Very periodontally aware people were in their late 40-60 s, followed sound oral care routines and held a degree but elicited insufficient knowledge about aetiology, signs-symptoms, related risks or periodontal risk factors.