Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Patients Attending to Dental Clinics in Isfahan Regarding Dental Scaling

Background: At present, most patients have wrong perceptions and attitudes toward dental scaling; therefore, they hesitate receiving it. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of patients attending to dental clinics in Isfahan with regard to dental scaling. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 patients referring to dental clinics in Isfahan in 2016. Sampling was sequential and randomized. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect data, which covered demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practice of patients regarding scaling. Results: The knowledge and practice scores had a significant correlation with education level. In addition, the knowledge and attitude scores had a significant correlation with age and positive history of scaling and root planning (SRP) (P<0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that most patients had moderate or good knowledge about scaling while the majority of them had a neutral attitude toward it and more than half had moderate practice in this respect. Thus, knowledge promotion should be performed in a way that attitude and practice are significantly influenced. This calls for strategic planning by the Ministry of Health and cooperation of the media and enforcement organizations affiliated to the Ministry of Health.