Periodontal health knowledge and awareness among subjects with fixed orthodontic appliance

online article* Periodontal health knowledge and awareness among subjects with fixed orthodontic appliance Elham S. Abu Alhaija1, Eman M. Al-Saif1, Dafi Q. Taani1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.23.5.40.e1-9.onl Objective: To report on periodontal health knowledge and awareness among orthodontic patients and to investigate the effect of age, attitude and duration of orthodontic treatment on periodontal health awareness among orthodontic patients. Methods: A total of 297 orthodontics patient (90 males, 207 females) with mean age of 17.7 ± 5.0 years (older then 18 years = 119, 18 years or younger = 178) were included in this study. Subjects were currently wearing upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances for an mean period of 12.55 ± 10.86 months (less than or equal to 18 months = 231, more than 18 months = 66). Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire (demographic characteristics, subjects’ awareness toward their periodontal health, periodontal knowledge among orthodontic patient and patients’ attitude toward orthodontic treatment regarding periodontal health) and clinical periodontal examination. Results: Periodontal knowledge was poor among orthodontic patients in relation to dental plaque. Only 24 subjects (8%) correctly answered knowledge-related questions. Adult orthodontic patients reported negative attitude toward fixed orthodontic treatment in respect to periodontal health (p <0.001). Duration of orthodontic treatment negatively affected subjects’ attitude toward fixed orthodontic treatment (p <0.01). The majority of subjects were in the high level of awareness group (64%). Orthodontic patients’ awareness toward their periodontal health during fixed orthodontic treatment was affected by attitude scores (p =0.005), number of teeth with gingival recession (p =0.041), Gingival Index (p =0.000), duration of treatment (p =0.047) and age (p =0.008). Conclusions: Periodontal health knowledge among orthodontic patients was poor. Orthodontic patients’ awareness of their periodontal health was moderate and was affected by age, attitude and duration of orthodontic treatment. Keywords: Awareness. Attitude. Orthodontic. Periodontal health. Objetivo: relatar sobre o conhecimento e a conscientização quanto à saúde periodontal dos pacientes ortodônticos e investigar os efeitos da idade, atitude e duração do tratamento sobre a conscientização da saúde periodontal entre esses pacientes. Métodos: um total de 297 pacientes foi incluído nesse estudo (90 homens e 207 mulheres), com idade média de 17,7±5,0 anos (maiores de 18 anos = 119, iguais ou menores de 18 anos = 178). Os indivíduos estavam usando aparelhos ortodônticos fixos nas arcadas superior e inferior por um período médio de 12,55±10,86 meses (18 meses ou menos = 231, mais de 18 meses = 66). Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário autoaplicável (características demográficas, conscientização com relação à saúde periodontal, conhecimento periodontal entre os pacientes ortodônticos e a atitude dos pacientes com relação ao tratamento ortodôntico com relação à saúde periodontal) e exame clínico periodontal. Resultados: o conhecimento periodontal entre os pacientes ortodônticos foi pequeno com relação à placa bacteriana. Somente 24 indivíduos (8%) responderam corretamente às questões relacionadas ao conhecimento. Os pacientes ortodônticos adultos relataram uma atitude negativa quanto ao tratamento com aparelhos fixos, com relação à saúde periodontal (p <0,001). A duração do tratamento afetou negativamente a atitude dos indivíduos com relação ao tratamento com aparelhos fixos (p <0,01). A maioria dos indivíduos estava no nível mais alto do grupo conscientização (64%). A conscientização dos pacientes ortodônticos com relação à sua saúde periodontal durante o tratamento ortodôntico com aparelhos fixos foi afetada pelos escores da atitude (p =0,005), pelo número de dentes com retração gengival (p =0.041), Índice Gengival (p =0,000), duração do tratamento (p =0,047) e idade (p =0,008). Conclusões: o conhecimento sobre a saúde periodontal entre os pacientes foi pequeno. A conscientização dos pacientes quanto à sua saúde periodontal foi moderada e foi afetada pela idade, atitude e duração do tratamento ortodôntico. Palavras-chave: Conscientização. Atitude. Ortodontia. Saúde periodontal. 1 Jordan University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Preventive Dentistry (Irbid, Jordan). » The authors report no commercial, proprietary or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article. How to cite: Alhaija ESA, Al-Saif EM, Taani DQ. Periodontal health knowledge and awareness among subjects with fixed orthodontic appliance. Dental Press J Orthod. 2018 Sept-Oct;23(5):40.e1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.23.5.40.e1-9.onl Submitted: September 23, 2017 - Revised and accepted: February 21, 2018 Contact address: Elham S. Abu Alhaija E-mail: © 2018 Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics 40.e1 Dental Press J Orthod. 2018 Sept-Oct;23(5):40.e1-9 online article Periodontal health knowledge and awareness among subjects with fixed orthodontic appliance INTRODUCTION Several studies showed a significant increase in the quantity of dental plaque and the occurrence of gingivitis in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.1 For this reason, special efforts are required for adequate oral hygiene during fixed appliance treatment as its presence makes tooth cleaning more difficult.2 During fixed orthodontic appliance therapy, patient’s knowledge, motivation, cooperation and attitude toward treatment are key factors of oral hygiene maintenance.3 Poor maintenance of oral hygiene may be due to lack of knowledge or negligence by patients themselves.4 Various reports have shown that orthodontic patients’ knowledge on their gingival health was poor.5 Despite receiving appropriate instructions, many individuals fail to follow these instructions. Also, many of them lack knowledge on the maintenance of oral hygiene. It has been documented that improvement of oral hygiene compliance and effectiveness during orthodontics can be achieved with professional instruction and monitoring.6 Before the beginning of orthodontic treatment, patients should be instructed about the importance of regular oral hygiene maintenance.7 It is necessary to demonstrate to patients the correct technique and frequency of tooth brushing. They need to learn about the right toothbrushes, interdental and orthodontic brushes, as well as the auxiliary devices for oral hygiene maintenance.8 Little is known about periodontal health knowledge and awareness among orthodontic patients. Therefore, the aims of this study were to report on the periodontal health knowledge and awareness among orthodontic patients, and to investigate the effect of age, attitude and duration of orthodontic treatment on periodontal health knowledge and awareness among orthodontic patients treated with fixed applia (...truncated)