EVALUATION OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE AWARENESS BY COMPARING SELF REPORTS AND CLINICAL MEASUREMENTS OF PATIENTS AT ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

Purpose: The aim of this descriptive, cross-sectional investigation was to evaluate the periodontal disease awareness of patients by comparing their clinical periodontal measurements and self-reports. Material and Methods: In total, 674 subjects, referred to Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry, Periodontology Department, were included in the study. Self-report of periodontal disease of the subjects were determined using a questionnaire. Periodontal indices were recorded. Results: Periodontal disease awareness was 44% among patients. The comparison of age, PI, BOP were similar between the groups. PD, number of teeth and CPITN code were significantly different between aware and unaware patients. Periodontal disease awareness was higher among patients who attended to periodontology by a complaint than patients who referred by dental physician. Conclusion: Periodontal disease awareness of the patiens attended to our department was low. Low awareness could be associated with patients that were attended to our clinic mostly by referral of other dentists.