Oral Health and Systemic Diseases: Survey of General Practitioners

Oral Health and Systemic Diseases: An Investigative Survey of General Practitioners

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Diabete Mellitus; Periodontal Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire Survey

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Fabrizio Guerra; Phone Number: 3283150627; Email: fabrizio.guerra@uniroma1.it

Study Locations

• Italy
  • RM
    • Roma, RM, Italy, 00161
      • Recruiting
      • Sapienza università di Roma
      • Contact: Fabrizio Guerra; Phone Number: 3283150627; Email: prof.fabrizio.guerra@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of General Practitioners (GPs) currently practicing in Italy. Participants will voluntarily participate after receiving study information and providing informed consent. Eligible participants will complete an anonymous self-administered digital questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge, clinical practices, and professional attitudes regarding oral health and its associations with systemic diseases.

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
General Practictioners; General Practictioners currently practicing in Italy	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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
General Practitioners' level of knowledge regarding oral diseases and oral-systemic associations	Knowledge level will be assessed through a predefined set of questionnaire items investigating participants' understanding of: Common oral diseases; Periodontal disease; Associations between oral and systemic diseases; Risk factors and preventive measures The total knowledge score will be calculated by summing the number of correct responses provided by each participant. Higher total scores will indicate a greater level of knowledge among General Practitioners regarding oral diseases, periodontal disease, oral-systemic associations, risk factors, and oral health-related clinical practices. Scores may additionally be categorized for descriptive analysis as: Low level of knowledge: <50% correct responses; Moderate level of knowledge: 50-75% correct responses; High level of knowledge: >75% correct responses	At questionnaire completion (at baseline)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Roma La Sapienza

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 16, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 28, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 23, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: diabetes; smoking; periodontitis
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endocrine System Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Behavior; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Periodontitis; Diabetes Mellitus; Periodontal Diseases; Smoking; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Methods; Data Collection; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires
• Other Study ID Numbers: 3

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No