Relationships Among Periodontal Awareness, Clinical Findings, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Turkish Cypriot Adults

Background/Objectives: The primary aim of this observational study was to evaluate the relationships among periodontal awareness, oral health behaviors, self-reported periodontal symptoms, objective clinical periodontal findings, and oral health-related quality of life in Turkish Cypriot adults aged 30 years and older living in Northern Cyprus, and to investigate potential discrepancies between self-reported indicators and objective clinical findings. A three-week clinical re-evaluation performed after professional tooth cleaning and standardized oral hygiene instruction was included as a secondary and descriptive component of the study. Materials and Methods: A total of 423 adults completed a 31-item face-to-face questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, periodontal awareness, oral health behaviors, and OHIP-14. GI, PI, BOP, and RPI were recorded at baseline and three weeks later. Participants were classified as periodontal health, gingivitis-compatible, or periodontitis-compatible. Non-parametric tests were applied (p < 0.05). Results: GI, PI, BOP, and RPI decreased significantly at T3 (p < 0.001). Gingival bleeding, swelling, and halitosis were associated with clinical indices (p < 0.001). However, periodontal awareness indicators and oral health behaviors were not consistently associated with clinical periodontal status, indicating incomplete concordance between self-reported awareness and objective clinical findings. Women reported more regular dental visits, previous scaling, and adjunctive product use. Higher education was associated with greater awareness and preventive behaviors. OHIP-14 associations with clinical parameters were weak. Conclusions: Overall, significant short-term reductions in clinical periodontal indices were observed after standardized professional tooth cleaning and oral hygiene instruction; however, awareness, behaviors, clinical findings, and OHRQoL did not demonstrate consistent concordance across all comparisons. These findings support professional follow-up and objective periodontal evaluation.