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Objectives: To explore dental clinics’ performance on periodontal education by comparing knowledge about periodontal health of regular and inconsistent dental attenders. Subjects and Methods: A population-based study with a cross-sectional design was performed in Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Participants were randomly selected from 16 different areas and a questionnaire applied face-to-face. The survey included items on socio-demographic features, habits and routines, periodontal status and periodontal health knowledge. Participants were grouped according to the median of overall knowledge, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between good periodontal knowledge and frequency of dental visits. Results: A total of 8,206 individuals were invited to enter the study, and 3,553 of them accepted the invitation (43.3%). Most participants (59.3%; n = 1,945) fit within the regular dental attenders’ group. Younger women holding a university degree and visiting their dentist regularly elicited higher knowledge about periodontal health. Regular use of dental services increased the chances of being in the higher knowledge group (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.40–2.00). Conclusions: Reported regular dental attendance is related to periodontal health knowledge. Specific interventions for promoting tailored patient education on periodontal topics during routine dental visits may have a positive effect on laypersons’ knowledge about periodontal health.

OBJECTIVES To assess periodontal awareness among laypersons, to characterize the very aware of periodontitis and to disclose whether high awareness implies sufficient periodontal knowledge. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional study on laypersons randomly selected by quota sampling from March 2015 to June 2016. The questionnaire of periodontal awareness included aspects of aetiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, related risks, prevention, treatment and related attitudes. It was applied by 12 interviewers in the community in each four province capitals, in a sort of pathfinder survey method. RESULTS A 43.3% response rate was obtained, and 3,553 people entered the study. "Very aware": 19.4%. "Aware": 42.7%. "Not aware": 37.9%. Age, oral self-care and educational achievements characterized those "very aware." Any additional degree beyond compulsory education halves the chances for being "not periodontally aware." Very aware people likely to have periodontitis were elder, less educated, with a smoking history and less knowledge of the disease. Gaps of knowledge among the "very aware" were identified in all aspects except for "prevention" and "treatment.". CONCLUSIONS Very periodontally aware people were in their late 40-60 s, followed sound oral care routines and held a degree but elicited insufficient knowledge about aetiology, signs-symptoms, related risks or periodontal risk factors.

Objectives To investigate the level of oral cancer knowledge and awareness in a Spanish general population. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire applied in the community to randomly selected laypersons. Sample size for the general population was determined by quota sampling, resulting in 1,041 individuals. Results A total of 1,707 pedestrians were approached (response: 61%). When the participants were asked about what cancers had they heard about (up to ten), oral cancer was mentioned in first place by 2% of the sample and by 22% in any order. When specifically asked about oral cancer, the percentage of interviewees who were familiar with it raised to 72%. Participants were also asked about the main signs or symptoms of oral cancer, and the most frequently (22%) mentioned as the first warning sign was a non-healing ulcer. Tobacco smoking generally was recognised as the most important (57%) risk factor for oral cancer. Conclusions This pilot study revealed a low awareness of oral cancer, and a poor knowledge of its signs and symptoms and risk factors.