Awareness of Periodontitis among Undergraduate Students at a Faculty of Medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study was aimed to investigate awareness of periodontitis among undergraduate students at a faculty of medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Medicine Foca enrolled in three study programs (Medicine, Nursing, and Special Education and Rehabilitation). Knowledge and awareness of periodontitis were collected using a structured questionnaire. Approximately 58% of students had heard the term periodontitis. Higher percentage of Medicine and Nursing students identified Gum Recession, Bleeding Gums, Tooth Loss and Loose Tooth as common symptoms of periodontitis compared to Special Education and Rehabilitation students. Knowledge of risk factors for periodontitis differed between the groups, with Nursing students showing greater awareness but also incorrect recognizing of several risk factors. About one third of students answered that Diabetes Mellitus is related to periodontitis (32.4%). Significantly lower percentage of Nursing students assessed their knowledge of periodontitis as poor compared to Medicine and Special Education and Rehabilitation students. The findings revealed a lack of adequate knowledge of periodontitis across all the observed study programs. Strengthening periodontal education within undergraduate curricula is essential, particularly considering the established links between periodontal and systemic diseases.