ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH STATUS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOUR OF PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) make up the most prevalent category of systemic illness in
developed as well as developing countries because of changes in lifestyles and dietary habits. Emerging evidence
suggests a significant association between poor oral health and CVDs, with individuals affected by periodontal
disease exhibiting an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic CVDs. CVDs share inflammatory pathways with
periodontal disease, yet oral health assessment is seldom integrated into cardiometabolic care. This study evaluated
oral health status and treatment needs in adults with CVDs and assessed patient knowledge, behaviors, and service
utilization, while exploring links between poor oral health and CVD risk.
Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study at the Outpatient Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology,
Jamia Millia Islamia, 175 adults (20–70 years) with physician-diagnosed CVDs underwent standardized
examinations for decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT), the Silness-Loe Plaque Index (PI), and Russell’s Periodontal
Index (RPI) using a WHO probe. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Data were
entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed in SPSS v20.
Results: The mean age was 52.9 ± 9.7 years; 57.1% were female. Caries experience was high (mean DMFT 3.00 ±
2.01; 72.2% DMFT > 0). Mean PI was 1.59 ± 0.63, with ~85% classified as fair–poor. Mean RPI was 1.82 ± 1.63,
and nearly two-thirds were in destructive categories, indicating a substantial periodontal burden. Behaviors were sub
optimal: 55% brushed once daily and 43% twice daily; with limited use of adjunctive aids (mouthwash 24%, floss
19.4%). Dental service utilization was low (67.1% visited a dentist < once/year). Knowledge gaps were marked: low
awareness of infective endocarditis (25.1%), the oral-cardiac link (13.7%), and antibiotic prophylaxis for cardiac
conditions (6.3%). The most frequent treatment need was periodontal therapy (72.0%), followed by prosthodontic
(49.7%), restorative/endodontic (34.8%), and surgical (15.4%) care; 23.4% required no treatment.
Conclusions: Patients with CVDs exhibited considerable oral disease burden with significant
knowledge and care-seeking gaps. Integrating routine periodontal screening, targeted education, and structured
referral pathways into cardiometabolic care may reduce oral disease and potentially mitigate systemic inflammation.