AWARENESS ABOUT PERIODONTAL DISEASE AMONG PATIENTS- A STUDY 1SHAMSUL ALAM

Periodontal diseases can lead to tooth loss. The bacterial plaque is the main etiology of periodon-tal diseases, while many other factors such as hormonal changes, diabetes, poor nutrition, smoking, and stress may affect the initiation and progression of gingival and periodontal diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge about periodontal oral health and causes of inflammatory periodontal diseases among patients of our local population. A total of 105 patients presented to out-patient department of Khyber College of Dentistry, Pe-shawar were included in this study. Age, gender, economic level, educational level, occupation and specific questions about periodontal diseases were recorded. Questions related to periodontal diseases like meaning and causes of periodontal disease, relation to the risk factors, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Each question was provided with different options (Yes and No) to patients were requested to answered. The collected data were processed and analyzed by SPSS (statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 17.0. Percentages and frequencies were tabulated and shown in the form of charts. Of total 105 patients 74(70.47%) were males and 31(29.52%) females. The most common age decade was third. Most of participants belonged to medium income families and most of their had university level education. Educated patients were using tooth brush while illiterate patients used miswak wooden stick. University level educated patients were more aware about the meaning, risks factors and causes of periodontal diseases