A study of periodontal disease awareness amongst third-year nursing students.
Nurses make up a large portion of health care professionals, are part of the first line of health care and in a position to provide health education, advice and referrals for patients at high risk of experiencing systemic diseases such as cancers and life-threatening illnesses that are often firstly evident in the mouth.


OBJECTIVE
To assess final-year nursing students about their awareness of periodontal disease and its impact on general health; and to ascertain their knowledge about the periodontal links to systemic disease as well as their perceived knowledge and abilities to provide informed advice and referrals to at-risk patients.


OBJECTIVE
Third-year nursing students are limited in their awareness and knowledge of periodontal disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that they have a sound level of general knowledge regarding issues relating to periodontal disease. However, a majority indicated a lack of confidence and suggested more oral health knowledge should be provided within their nursing curriculum.
a School of Dentistry & Health Science, Charles Sturt University , Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga , New South Wales 2678 , Australia.
Meghana
M
Pai
a School of Dentistry & Health Science, Charles Sturt University , Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga , New South Wales 2678 , Australia.
Bonnie
B
Ribot
a School of Dentistry & Health Science, Charles Sturt University , Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga , New South Wales 2678 , Australia.
Helen
H
Tane
a School of Dentistry & Health Science, Charles Sturt University , Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga , New South Wales 2678 , Australia.
Janice
J
Murray
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chronic diseases; diabetes mellitus; links to systematic diseases; nursing curriculum