Knowledge and attitude about relationship between oral hygiene practices and respiratory diseases among medical professionals in belgaum city – a questionnaire study

Introduction: Periodontitis is associated with extensive microbial plaque and exuberant local and systemic host response to microbial assault. Growing interest in periodontal medicine has shown that periodontal infections may influence overall health and course of many systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, preterm low birth weight etc. The bacterial plaque on the various surfaces of the teeth may extend to oropharynx. The anatomical continuity between the lungs and the oral cavity makes the latter a potential reservoir of respiratory pathogens. The awareness regarding this association amongst medical professionals should be assessed to render a comprehensive health care to patients.
Aim: To assess knowledge and attitude about relationship between oral hygiene practices and respiratory diseases among medical professionals in Belgaum city.
Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among the medical professionals in Belgaum city. A pre-tested self administered questionnaire was distributed personally to 120 randomly selected medical professionals working in institutes and private hospitals. The filled proformas collected next day and data obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: All the participants knew that oral diseases have an influence on systemic diseases and vice versa. About 80% of the practitioners agreed that periodontal/gum diseases affect the course of the systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory diseases, pre-term low birth weight. Most common respiratory diseases they come across in the practice was pneumonia in particular hospital acquired pneumonia. And 70% of the practitioners consider periodontal disease as risk factor for the respiratory diseases. About 66% medical of the practitioners in Belgaum city routinely examine the oral cavity.
Conclusion: The present questionnaire study among the medical doctors practicing at Belgaum city, showed that knowledge and attitude about relationship between oral hygiene practices and respiratory diseases was high. Majority of the doctors knew about the interrelationship between periodontal disease and respiratory conditions