Assessment of periodontal disease as a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a multifactorial, chronic inflammatory disorder, that can lead, 
if untreated, to the non-reversible damage of supportive tissues (periodontal ligament, 
cementum and alveolar bone) surrounding the teeth with consequent tooth loss. The present 
study was conducted to assess periodontal disease as a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases 
(CVD).Materials & Methods:160 dentists of both genders were divided into 4 groups. 
Group I - dentists in dental colleges, group II – Sole private practitioners, group III – dentists 
associated with dental colleges and having their private practice and group IV - post-graduate 
students pursuing MDS. Questionnaires were distributed among all.Results: Group I had 22 
males and 8 females, group II had 20 males and females, group III had 15 males and 25 
females and group IV had 17 males and 23 females. 1-5 years of experience was seen in 8 in 
group I, 12 in group II, 7 in group III and 10 in group IV, 6-10 years in 10 in group I, 18 in 
group II, 7 in group III and 10 in group IV and 10-15 years in 22 in group I, 10 in group II 
and 23 in group III. Oral Health related to systemic health replied by 100% by all groups, 
major risk factors by 6% in group I, 7% in group III and 23% in group IV, minor risk factors 
in 5% in group I, III and 22% in group IV, risk factor by 2% in group I, 3% in group III and 
3% in group IV, not a risk factor by 1% in group I and III, do not know by 1% in group I and 
not answered by 1% in group IV. Conclusion: All had sufficientknowledge regarding the 
periodontal disease as a risk factor in CVD.