Resumo

SANTOS, Katia Simone Alves dos et al. Knowledge and perception of patients on oral health. RFO UPF [online]. 2015, vol.20, n.3, pp. 287-294. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: This research aimed to assess the knowledge and perception on oral health by patients assisted at the Periodontics Clinic of the Paraíba State University. Methods: A longitudinal study was performed with a sample of 23 patients aged 13-62 years, and a semistructured questionnaire was applied at the beginning and end of treatment. For statistical analysis, Pearson's chi-square test on expected and observed measures was used in order to compare data obtained at pre- and posttreatment. The inferential analysis accepted significance of p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among the main results, it was verified an improvement of the concept of teeth importance after treatment, as well as of oral health self-assessment, which went from "average" to "good" (p<0.05). Brushing frequency and flossing increased. The knowledge on fluoride and dentifrice use, and teeth duration also presented a higher frequency at post-treatment. Conclusion: It was observed the major importance of oral health education performed by professionals to increase the awareness of patients regarding oral hygiene, and so it was concluded that further guidance on oral health, by students and Dentistry professionals, was required.

Palavras-chave : Knowledge; Oral health education; Perception.