Conocimientos y actitudes sobre enfermedad periodontal en estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad del Pacífico, Paraguay

Introduction: Periodontal disease (PD) triggers loss of dental support. Knowledge is essential to develop proper planning and control of care. The doctor must know aspects of the pathology and refer the patient to the dentist. Objective: To evaluate knowledge and attitudes about PD in medical students enrolled in the Universidad del Pacifico (Asuncion campus), Paraguay-20I5. Methodology: It was a descriptive study with a survey on knowledge and attitudes towards PD and oral hygiene habits. Aspects such as responsible factor, indicative sign, effective measure of prevention and control and relationship with diabetes and smoking, were evaluated. Results: 133 students participated in the study; 68.5% under 20 years old. 97.2% recognized the microbial plaque as a causative factor, 80.27% recognized brushing as an effective measure of control and 60.6% as a pathognomonic sign for gingival bleeding. 60.6% mentioned a relationship with diabetes and 92.4% with smoking. 93.6% mentioned the social affectation due to the disease and 85.53% saw the relevance of the pathology in health. As for the attitude; 88.71% recognized the need for doctor's participation in prevention and 97.4% who must know the problem, although only 80.9% agreed with the oral examination by the doctor. Conclusion: A good level of knowledge was observed in the study population. The attitudes were adequate, but it is recommended to encourage the practice of preventive actions, starting with an examination, from the degree with the purpose of promoting a co-responsibility in the prevention of oral pathologies in conjunction with the dentist.