The general aims of this thesis were to evaluate if a mass media campaign, aimed as a health promoting campaign, and visits to a specialist clinic in periodontology could increase the knowledge of periodontitis, symptoms and treatment. A further aim was to analyse expectations and satisfaction with care among patients referred for comprehensive treatment to specialist clinics. Paper I and II evaluating if a nationwide mass media campaign increased the knowledge of periodontitis (paper I) and factors associated with knowledge (paper II). The evaluations were done using a mail questionnaire in a before and after design. The questionnaires were sent out to 50-75 years old people in Sweden, randomly sampled from the population register. Paper I showed an improvement of correct answers about symptoms and treatment of periodontitis after the media campaign. In paper II, it was shown that education, utilization and perceived importance of oral health were related to knowledge both before and after the mass media campaign. Age and information about periodontitis from dental clinics were associated with knowledge before the mass media campaign. Paper III and IV evaluated the knowledge of periodontitis, and analysed self-perceived oral health (paper III), expectations on and satisfaction with care (paper IV), and evaluations were also done using a questionnaire in a before and after design. Patients referred to specialist clinics in periodontology for comprehensive periodontal treatment were consecutively sampled for the study. The results in 9 paper III showed an improvement in correct answers to the knowledge questions after visiting the specialist clinic. The most common self-perceived troubles were bleeding gums and sensitive teeth. Many of the patients experienced their oral health as rather good. In paper IV, the patients expected it to be very important or important to achieve healthy teeth and improved well-being after treatment. In general, many of the patients were satisfied with their dental visits. The patients also appeared be satisfied with the relationship to and the perception of the caregiver. In conclusion, there was an improvement of knowledge about periodontitis, possibly due to the media campaign and also after visiting a specialist clinic in periodontology. Even if the patients reported troubles from their mouths, they rated their self-perceived oral health as rather good. Achieving healthy teeth and improved wellbeing were important issues for the patients. Having a good relationship with and confidence in the caregiver seems to indicate satisfied patients.

Syftet var att utvärdera om en massmedia kampanj ökar kunskapen om diagnos, symptom och behandling av parodontit och att analysera kunskap i förhållande till sociala faktorer, användande av tandvård och uppfattning om oral hälsa. Kampanjen utarbetades av Svenska Parodontologiföreningen och genomfördes via tidningsartiklar, radio, TV program och broschyrer som kunde rekvireras av tandvårdskliniker. För att genomföra studien användes postenkäter i en före och efter design, som skickades ut till 900 ur befolkningsregistret slumpvis utvalda 50-75 åringar. Svarsandelen var 70 % före kampanjen och 65 % efter kampanjen. Totalt svarade 64 % på båda enkäterna. Data analyserades i förhållande till rätt svar före och efter kampanjen samt beträffande förändring av kunskap. Kunskapen om parodontit ökade efter kampanjen med fler rätta svar angående symptom, diagnos och behandling av parodontit. Analysen av förändringarna i kunskap visade att fler individer med högre utbildningsnivå kunde mer om parodontit före och efter kampanjen än de med lägre utbildningsnivå. Kunskap före och efter kampanjen associerades också med högt utnyttjande av tandvård. Slutsatsen av studien är att en massmedia kampanj kan öka kunskapen om parodontit

The aims were to evaluate if a mass media campaign regarding periodontal disease could increases the knowledge of diagnosis, symptom and treatment options of periodontal disease, and to analyse factors associated with knowledge before and after the campaign according to social attributes, care system attributes and perceived oral health aspects.The Swedish Association of Periodontology initiated the mass media campaign. It was conducted through brochures, newspapers, radio and television. The studies were based on a questionnaire in a panel design. From the national population register 900 individuals 50-75 years of age were randomly sampled. The response rate of the questionnaire was 70% before the campaign, 65% after and 64% answered both questionnaires. Data were analysed as to correct answers before and after the campaign and to change in knowledge. Knowledge improved about periodontitis regarding symptoms, diagnoses and treatment options of periodontal disease. Individuals with "secondary education" had more knowledge of periodontal disease both before and after the campaign, compared to individuals with "primary education". High utilization of dentistry was also associated with knowledge before and after the campaign. To conclude mass media campaigns may increase knowledge of periodontal disease.