[Results of a survey on periodontal prevention carried out in a test population in Bern].

In 1974 the authors carried out an inquiry about knowledge and behavior concerning periodontal prevention. Two-hundred persons from Berne and surroundings sampled by a random procedure were interviewed. It appeared that knowledge about the causes, consequences, prevention and therapy of periodontal disease was fragmentary. Accordingly prophylactic efforts of the interviewed persons were not very systematic. Often people believed in the effect of special remedies such as mouth-wash and special tooth-paste. They did not know that a perfect technique of oral hygiene is the basic requirement for periodontal prevention. It appeared that the advising function of the dentists was partially insufficient. Patients suffering from bleeding gums had not received adequate information regarding the seriousness of their situation, or they were referred to the special remedies mentioned in figure 3. Instruction of a perfect oral hygiene technique was therefore neglected.