Oral Health and Systemic Diseases: Survey of General Practitioners
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Questionnaire Survey.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Periodontal Disease, Diabete Mellitus. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Italy
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Oral Health and Systemic Diseases: An Investigative Survey of General Practitioners
Overview
This cross-sectional observational study aims to assess the level of knowledge, clinical practices, and professional attitudes of General Practitioners (GPs) regarding oral health and its relationship with major systemic diseases, with particular emphasis on periodontal disease. Data will be collected through an anonymous, self-administered digital questionnaire distributed nationwide to General Practitioners practicing in Italy. The questionnaire will investigate participants' knowledge of oral diseases, awareness of oral-systemic associations, early identification of oral manifestations, educational background, and interdisciplinary collaboration with dental professionals.
Detailed description
The aim of this study is to conduct an exploratory survey designed to assess the level of knowledge among General Practitioners (GPs) regarding the main diseases of the oral cavity, particularly dental caries and periodontal diseases, and their associations with systemic conditions, with special attention to autoimmune, dysmetabolic, and cardiovascular diseases.
To achieve this objective, an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 35 questions has been developed, with an estimated completion time of approximately 10-15 minutes. The questionnaire is intended to investigate participants' familiarity with terminology related to periodontal disease, particularly the terms "periodontitis" and "pyorrhea," which are used to describe the same clinical condition, as well as their level of knowledge regarding its manifestations and clinical implications.
The survey will further investigate General Practitioners' ability to recognize oral signs and symptoms potentially associated with local or systemic diseases, as well as the frequency with which these aspects are considered in routine clinical practice and patient assessment. Information will also be collected regarding previous education and training in oral health-related fields and knowledge of major risk factors associated with oral diseases, including smoking, diabetes mellitus, and medications with significant oral health impact.
Analysis of the collected data will provide insight into the extent to which oral health is integrated into general medical practice, highlighting potential educational gaps and challenges in the early recognition of oral alterations. In addition, the study will assess participants' interest in specific educational and continuing professional development initiatives.
The expected findings may contribute to strengthening collaboration between general medicine and dentistry by promoting shared approaches to prevention, screening, and education aimed at achieving a more comprehensive and integrated management of patients, particularly vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the information obtained may provide useful support for the development of preventive strategies and clinical protocols aimed at improving multidisciplinary patient care.
Interventions
- Other Questionnaire Survey
Participants will complete a questionnaire consisting of 35 closed-ended questions designed to assess General Practitioners' knowledge, clinical practices, and attitudes regarding oral health and its relationship with systemic diseases.
Primary outcome measures
- General Practitioners' level of knowledge regarding oral diseases and oral-systemic associations [Time frame: At questionnaire completion (at baseline)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Licensed General Practitioners currently practicing in Italy
- Ability to understand and complete the questionnaire in Italian
- Voluntary agreement to participate after reading study information and providing informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Physicians not currently practicing as General Practitioners
- Incomplete questionnaire responses
- Duplicate submissions
- Participants who decline informed consent
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Italy · 1 center
- Sapienza università di Roma — Roma
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07604493 · 3