Awareness And Knowledge Of Smoking And Periodontitis Among Dental Patients
- Author:
Sadikin AS
1
;
Mansor H
;
Saub R
;
Vaithlingam RD
Author Information
1. Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Original article
- Keywords:
Awareness;
knowledge;
periodontitis;
smoking
- From:
Annals of Dentistry
2015;22(2):15-22
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of periodontal disease and level of knowledgeof the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease amongst subjects who were smokersverses non-smokers. Methods: A questionnaire looking at knowledge of respondents regardinggum disease and knowledge and awareness about oral impacts of smoking on periodontal diseasewas developed and pretested in Dental Faculty University of Malaya. Basic Periodontal Examination(BPE) index was used to assess periodontal status. Results: The questionnaire was answered by130 subjects. Prevalence of smoking was 14.6%. A total of 58.6% non-smokers and 57.9% smokersknew about periodontal disease. However, only 26.1% non-smokers and 10.5% smokers knew thatthe cause for periodontal disease was plaque. More non-smokers than smokers knew that smokingaffected periodontal health (80.2% and 68.4% respectively) (p>0.05) and tooth mobility was an effect ofsmoking on periodontal health (27.0% and 0%) (p<0.05). Regarding source of information on effect ofsmoking on periodontal health, 63.2% smokers and 63.1% non-smokers reported obtaining informationthrough the mass media. However, only 31.6% smokers and 28.8% non-smokers were informed bytheir dentist. Conclusion: The awareness of periodontal disease and knowledge of the relationshipbetween smoking and periodontal disease was low in this selected population of smokers and nonsmokers.
