Assessment of the nursing staff's knowledge on periodontal disease and its associations with systemic changes

Abstract

Introduction The maintenance of oral health in inpatients is essential, particularly to avoid complications arising from periodontal disease, which not only affect oral health but can also exacerbate systemic issues during hospitalization. Objective: This study aimed to assess nursing staff’s knowledge regarding the management of periodontal disease and its association with systemic diseases. Material and method This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a general referral hospital of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). A total of 504 nursing professionals completed a self-administered 24-item questionnaire on relating to oral care procedures and the importance of oral health in hospitalized patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and the chi-squared test (α = 0.05). Result Most respondents (97.8%) believed that oral infections can affect a patient's general health and that oral hygiene is important during hospitalization. However, knowledge deficits were identified. The oral effect of periodontal disease was considered moderate by 49.3% of the participants, and 74.6% believed that sugar was the most common cause of periodontal disease. Conclusion Nursing professionals are aware of the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases. However, their dental hygiene practice knowledge is limited. A training program on oral healthcare for inpatients and the inclusion of oral hygiene topics in the curricula of nursing professionals are recommended.