Oral Health and Systemic Diseases: Survey of General Practitioners

NCT07604493 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 3
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Periodontal Disease; Diabete Mellitus

Keywords

smoking; diabetes; periodontitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 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 (single assessment)

Study Arms (1)

General Practictioners

General Practictioners currently practicing in Italy

Other: Questionnaire Survey

Interventions

Questionnaire Survey OTHER

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.

General Practictioners

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• 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.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• Physicians not currently practicing as General Practitioners
• Incomplete questionnaire responses
• Duplicate submissions
• Participants who decline informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Roma La Sapienza: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sapienza università di Roma

Roma, RM, 00161, Italy

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Periodontal Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Smoking; Periodontitis

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Central Study Contacts

Fabrizio Guerra

CONTACT

3283150627; fabrizio.guerra@uniroma1.it

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate professor, MD, pHd

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 16, 2026
• First Posted: May 22, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)