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EuroPerio10 congress
People who think luck decides their fate are at elevated risk of severe gum disease

Copenhagen, 16 June 2022. People who believe that luck or chance determine what happens to them are more likely to have severe gum disease compared with those who think their own actions are mainly responsible. That’s the finding of a study presented at EuroPerio10, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry organised by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) (1).

“The finding that this belief system is linked with oral health should encourage dental professionals to assess the emotional state of their patients and, if necessary, refer them to appropriate psychological care,” said study author Dr Sebastien Jungo of the University of Paris, France. “A few simple questions should be asked, such as: ‘According to you, what causes your disease?’ and ‘How can it be treated?’. Answers to these questions could be important for optimising adherence to treatment.”

This study examined the relationships between these beliefs, oral health, and socioeconomic and psychological factors. For the belief system, patients were categorised as having an external or internal locus of control. Dr Jungo explained: “Locus of control is the extent to which people believe that the outcomes of life events are due to their own actions (internal locus of control) or factors over which they have little influence (external locus of control). For example, students who fail an exam more readily attribute the result to an outside cause (e.g. difficult exam, bad luck) if they have an external locus of control but to their own mistakes or lack of work if they have an internal locus of control.”

The study enrolled 79 consecutive patients who attended a periodontal consultation at Bretonneau University Hospital, Paris. Data were collected on lifestyle (e.g. smoking) and socioeconomic factors (income, education level, marital status). Participants completed questionnaires to determine locus of control, stress level and depressed mood. The degree of plaque control and number of teeth were recorded. Patients were taught good oral hygiene habits including how to brush and floss their teeth.

In a healthy mouth, the gums fit tightly around each tooth. Periodontal disease causes destruction of the bone surrounding the teeth, which leads to deeper pockets around the teeth, loss of attachment to the surrounding structures, and potentially tooth loss. During a second consultation an average of 2 weeks later, the following assessments were performed which indicate the severity of gum disease: 1) whether the gums bleed on probing; 2) pocket depth; 3) maximum attachment loss. 

The average age of participants was 46 years and 66% were women. Twenty participants (25%) had an external locus of control and 59 (75%) had an internal locus of control. The median depressed mood score was twice as high in the external locus group compared with the internal locus group.

Around three-quarters of the external locus group had a low education level compared with around half of the internal locus group. Regarding oral health, the average number of teeth lost was three in the external locus group and one in the internal locus group. The maximum attachment loss was significantly higher in the external versus internal locus group (9.95 mm versus 8.38 mm, respectively).

The researchers conducted multivariable analyses to examine the association between locus of control, oral health, and socioeconomic and psychological factors. The analyses were adjusted for factors that could influence the relationships such as number of teeth, education level, maximum attachment loss , stress score, living alone, depression score, and age. External locus of control was significant associated with depression score, education level, number of teeth and maximum attachment loss, with odds ratios of 1.21, 0.6, 0.67 and 1.31, respectively.

Dr Jungo said: “Having an external locus of control was independently associated with more tooth loss and attachment loss, indicating greater severity of periodontitis. In addition, these patients were more likely to be depressed and have a lower education level. The findings suggest that this group may need encouragement to consider periodontitis a manageable disease, particularly if they are feeling low.”
 

EFP, global benchmark in periodontology

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP, ww.efp.org) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting awareness of periodontal science and the importance of gum health. Its guiding vision is “periodontal health for a better life.”

Founded in 1991, the EFP is a federation of 37 national periodontal member societies that represents more than 16,000 periodontists, dentists, researchers, and oral-health professionals from Europe and around the world. It supports evidence-based science in periodontal and oral health, and it promotes events and campaigns aimed at both professionals and the public.

 The EFP organises EuroPerio, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry, as well as other important professional and expert events such as Perio Master Clinic and Perio Workshop. The annual Gum Health Day on May 12, organised by the EFP and its member societies, brings key messages on gum health to millions of people across the world.

The EFP also organises workshops and outreach campaigns with its partners: projects to date have covered the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and caries, as well as women’s oral health during pregnancy.

The EFP’s Journal of Clinical Periodontology is the most authoritative scientific publication in this field. The federation also publishes JCP Digest, a monthly digest of research, and the Perio Insight magazine, which features experts' views and debates.

The EFP’s work in education is also highly significant, notably its accreditation programme for postgraduate education in periodontology and implant dentistry.

The EFP has no professional or commercial agenda.

 

References

1) The abstract “The relation of external locus of control with depression, education level and periodontitis severity” was presented during the session “Periodontal diagnosis and disease progression” which takes place on 16 June at 14:30 CEST in Break Out 2.

ENDS

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Notes for editors

Funding: This work was supported by the Eskisehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit under grant number 202045E06.

Disclosures: None.

More information for the editor:

EFP press press@efp.org

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