The New Periodontal Disease Classification: Level of Knowledge and Agreement on Periodontal Diagnoses Among Dental Undergraduates and Postgraduates in a Private Dental School in Kuala Lumpur—A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Introduction The 2017 periodontal disease classification categorized periodontal disease using a staging and grading system and is based on the new best evidence in practice. This standardized classification enables clinicians to diagnose periodontal disease accurately and provide the appropriate periodontal treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the level of knowledge and agreement in periodontal diagnoses among dental undergraduates and postgraduates using this new periodontal classification. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional pilot study included two cohorts: Dental undergraduates (n 1 = 86) and dental postgraduates (n 2 = 14). A validated survey instrument included five periodontal disease cases and a questionnaire containing closed- and open-ended questions. The participants were scored based on 22 items of the five cases. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the level of knowledge and agreement between undergraduates and postgraduates. Spearman’s rank-order correlation was conducted to determine the relationship between familiarity with the classification and knowledge level of the periodontal diagnoses. Results The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference in the knowledge level and agreement of new periodontal classification between dental undergraduates and postgraduates ( P < .001). Compared with postgraduates, the undergraduates had better knowledge and agreement level of periodontal diagnoses. Spearman’s rank-order correlation showed a positive correlation between familiarity with the 2017 periodontal classification and knowledge level of the periodontal diagnoses which was statistically significant (r s = 0.219, P = .028). Conclusion The knowledge levels and agreement of periodontal diagnoses of dental undergraduates are better than those of postgraduates using the new periodontal disease classification due to the inclusion of new periodontal classification under the current undergraduates’ curriculum. Formal education on the new periodontal classification can be implemented in the postgraduate diploma curriculum to familiarize the postgraduates with the new periodontal classification, as was done for undergraduates.