Self-awareness of "Gum Disease" Among US Adults.
To assess the extent of self-awareness of gum disease among adults in the United States.



Data were from the 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The outcome variable is self-awareness of gum disease. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between self-awareness and clinically diagnosed periodontitis. The analytical sample included 6876 participants.



Among those participants (30 years or older) who were classified as having periodontitis, 27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.4-29.8) were self-aware of the disease (positive predicted value = 25%). Of those who self-reported having gum disease, 14.1% had a diagnosis of periodontitis (sensitivity = 75%). Older adults were less likely to be aware of gum disease (P < .05). Non-Hispanic blacks (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53-0.85) were less likely to be aware of the disease than non-Hispanic whites. Adults with diabetes (AOR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.25-2.06), or with lung disease (AOR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.25-2.08), or current smokers (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.29-2.31) were more likely to be aware of the disease.



The study showed that self-awareness of gum disease among adults was low. Our study findings suggest that there is a great need to improve oral health knowledge and awareness among the adult population in the United States.
Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina (Dr Luo); and School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Wu).
Huabin
H
Luo
Bei
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Wu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000503:physiopathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States