Assessment of knowledge, awareness, and attitude among patients with cardiovascular disease about its association with chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND: A strong bilateral relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic periodontitis has been established for decades. However, a knowledge gap regarding this association still persists among patients. The main objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude among patients with CVD about its association with chronic periodontitis (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational cross-sectional survey consisted of 500 patients with CVD. Along with information on demographic characteristics, data were collected on knowledge, awareness, and attitude of the interrelationships between periodontal disease and CVD, using a 5-point Likert scale, with 4 and 5 representing “agree” and “strongly agree,” respectively. RESULTS: A significant number of the study population had no knowledge regarding the bilateral association CVD and CP. Other questions revealed limited awareness and ignorant attitude of the patients. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that there is a lack of awareness and an ignorant attitude about the bidirectional relationship between CVD and periodontitis among the CVD patients. Special efforts should be taken by dental as well as medical professionals to increase the awareness in this regard and thereby deliver quality health-care services at earlier stages.