Oral Health-Related Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Patients in Rural Areas around Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Radu Marcel Chisnoiu, Ada Gabriela Delean, Alexandrina Muntean, Doina Iulia Rotaru, Andrea Maria Chisnoiu, Sanda Ileana Cîmpean
Abstract
The intent of the KAP (knowledge, attitude, practices) survey is to collect information about a specific target group related to their knowledge, what they consider to be known, and what they do about a particular topic. The aim of this study was to identify the level of importance of oral health, especially the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of rural patients around Cluj-Napoca, Romania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of five parts was used, trying to assess the self-perception of oral health, knowledge and attitude towards oral health, dental hygiene practices and eating habits. A clinical examination was also performed in order to identify the number of missing teeth, the caries and the presence of calculus. RESULTS: The study revealed that most patients have an average and good self-perception of oral health, although three-quarters of them have calculus deposits, and about half of them have more than three carious lesions and at least one extracted tooth. There is also a discrepancy between declared knowledge of oral health, eating habits and dental practices. CONCLUSIONS: The basic knowledge of rural patients about oral health can be considered satisfactory, but the practices, unfortunately, do not reflect this knowledge.