title: More to learn about: periodontitis-related knowledge and its relationship with periodontal health behaviour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess periodontitis-related knowledge and its relation to oral health behaviour on a community level and to identify target groups and major topics for health education interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  By means of a multistratified, stochastic telephone survey, 1001 interviews with Germans older than 14 years were carried out. Participants answered questions on the definition, aetiology, and risk factors of periodontal disease and on the risks associated with and measures to prevent them. They also reported on their current oral health behaviour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Severe knowledge deficits were found with respect to all topics. No consistent relationships with age or education were found, although less educated and very young and old people tended to show the greatest deficits. Knowledge of preventive measures was most strongly related to current oral health behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health education on periodontal diseases must be improved on a community level, although schoolchildren, older citizens and the less educated are the groups most in need. Interventions should focus on preventive measures.
authors: Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany. renate.deinzer@psycho.med.
authors: Renate
authors: R
authors: Deinzer
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Micheelis
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Granrath
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult