Periodontal health status and its association with cardiovascular risk score among the rural community in India: A community-based study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Our primary purpose was to examine the association between cardiovascular risk scores and the state of periodontal health within a rural community in India. Additionally, we aimed to explore the potential for incorporating assessments of periodontal health as an indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: In total, 2100 study participants aged 30 and older were included in our research. We developed a semistructured questionnaire to collect information on sociodemographic factors, and the Framingham risk score questionnaire was utilized to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results: We discovered a significant Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.761 between the CAD risk score and the cardiac power index (CPI) among our study participants. Similarly, the Spearman correlation coefficient between CAD risk levels and CPI was 0.654, with both values demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results strongly indicate that incorporating CPI as one of the risk assessment factors for CVD is highly recommended. Presently, community education on dental health is predominantly centered around school-based initiatives. However, we propose expanding this educational effort to encompass all community members. Educating individuals about the importance of periodontal health in CVD is vital since maintaining good periodontal health can prevent or alleviate morbidity associated with heart conditions.