Multinationality mapping of public misconceptions about periodontal diseases and their public health implications

While much research is focused on assessing the knowledge and attitudes of periodontal patients and the general population, no study addressed the prevalence of periodontal misconceptions. Hence, the research aimed to assess misconceptions regarding periodontal diseases and their treatment among a diverse population of various nationalities.

The research adopted a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional approach, employing a 16-item, structured, closed-ended, validated questionnaire with perspective statements to evaluate periodontal misconceptions. The periodontal misconceptions assessment results were compared across age groups, genders, nationalities, and misconception categories.

Periodontal misconception assessment yielded an overall misconception ratio of 60.34% among 515 individuals of various ages, genders, nationalities, and educational backgrounds. The most prevalent misconception is that ageing leads to tooth loss (91.7%), then that periodontal diseases do not occur if oral hygiene is good (85.4%) and teeth must be brushed after every meal (85.3%). Other highly prevalent misconceptions are that periodontal treatment should not be performed during pregnancy (80.4%), and periodontal diseases can be treated solely through medication (75.7%). There was minimal misconception regarding the prevalence of periodontal diseases across all age groups, not confined to the elderly (20.7%). The mean misconception scores demonstrated no significant differences between age groups and genders. Decrease in misconceptions correlated with higher educational qualifications. Turks (16 ± 0) demonstrated the most substantial periodontal misconceptions, followed by Yemenis (13 ± 0.11), Europeans (12.13 ± 2.13), Filipinos (12.11 ± 3.69), and Bangladeshis (12.8 ± 6.62). The British (5.54 ± 2.46) exhibited the fewest misconceptions, followed by Australians (7 ± 1.41) and Indians (7.99 ± 3.85).

The prevalence of periodontal misconceptions is high among the general public, regardless of age and gender. There exists disparity among various educational groups and nationalities, with Turks exhibiting the highest level of misconceptions, followed by Yemenis, Europeans, Filipinos, and Bangladeshis. In contrast, the British showed fewer misconceptions, followed by Australians and Indians. Mapping these misconceptions across nationalities emphasises the need to launch culturally tailored public health campaigns to improve preventive practises, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance overall population well-being.