Mehmet Gümüş KANMAZ, Burcu KANMAZ, Ece ÖZER
Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences - 2026;10(2):194-204
Purpose: To assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding the link between periodontal disease (PD) and systemic diseases and to identify factors associated with awareness among adult patients in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 273 adult patients. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered questionnaire that included sections on demographics, oral hygiene practices, medical history, knowledge of PD symptoms and its specific associations with systemic diseases. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of awareness. Results: While 57.1% of participants self-reported knowing PD symptoms, objective assessment revealed that knowledge was largely superficial: only 24.2% possessed adequate knowledge, and only 8.8% could identify all six symptoms. Awareness of the links between PD and systemic conditions was low: 27.5% for heart disease, 16.5% for diabetes, 11.0% for rheumatoid arthritis, and 6.6% for Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion: A significant gap exists in patient knowledge regarding the association between periodontal and systemic health among patients attending a university dental clinic in Turkey. Knowledge of periodontal symptoms is often inadequate, particularly among males, individuals with lower education, and those with limited prior dental contact.
