Assessment of oral hygiene behaviors and periodontal status among dental patients in Turkey: A pilot study

Abstract

Aim: Mechanical plaque control plays a substantial role in preventingperiodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the selfreported oral hygiene habits and periodontal status of dental patientsin Turkey and to evaluate whether the data was consistent with thecurrent periodontal status of the participants.Methodology: The study group consisted of 104 patients inconsultation with a faculty of dentistry in Turkey. Clinicalmeasurements included probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level(CAL), plaque index and bleeding on probing. A survey was conductedin order to learn participants’ oral hygiene habits and demographicdata. Three groups of 0–3 mm, 4–6 mm, and ≥ 7 mm were assigned toall patients for PD and CAL values.Results: A total of 33.6% of the participants brushed their teeth twoor more times per day, and 33.7% brushed one time daily. Thepercentage of dental floss use was 11.5% and interproximal brushingwas 7.7%. The percentage of the areas with 0–3 mm PD were 89.78%,and areas with 0–3 mm CAL were 86.61%. Areas with ≥ 7 mm PD andCAL were found to be very low (PD: 3.85%, CAL: 3.60%). The extent ofdental plaque was 62.80% and bleeding on probing was 38.13% of theoverall study population.Conclusions: It is possible to say that oral care is insufficient in ourstudy group. Also, poor oral hygiene and smoking are closely relatedto moderate and severe clinical attachment loss for the participants.Consequently, it is clear that more extensive researches need to bedone across the country.