Genetic Risk Education in Dental Care: Enhancing Knowledge, Enamel Health, and Preventive Behaviors in a Six-Month Cohort Study in South India

Introduction: Genetic factors and environmental influences, such as frequent bottled water usage, contribute to dental conditions like amelogenesis imperfecta, oral cancer, and enamel erosion, yet patient awareness is low. This study evaluates a brief genetic risk education intervention to enhance knowledge, psychological outcomes, enamel wear, bottled water usage patterns, and preventive intentions. Methods: A six-month prospective cohort study was conducted at Government Dental College and Hospital, RIMS, Kadapa, India, from June 2021 to February 2022, involving 200 adult dental patients. Free, validated scales—Genetic Knowledge Scale, Perceived Risk of Genetic Disorders Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) intention items, Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) Index, and a bottled water usage question—assessed outcomes at baseline, 3, and 6 months. A 20-minute educational session on hereditary dental diseases and environmental factors was delivered, with changes analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Of 200 patients, 185 completed follow-ups (92.5% retention). Genetic knowledge increased from 50% to 78% (p<0.001, Cohen’s d=1.1). Perceived risk rose from 3.1 to 4.4 (p<0.001, Cohen’s d=0.8). BEWE scores indicated mild erosion in 60% at baseline, reducing to 45% (p=0.02). Frequent bottled water usage decreased from 55% to 38% (p=0.01). HADS anxiety scores increased transiently (6.4 to 7.0, p=0.04) but decreased to 5.9 by 6 months (p=0.03). Intentions for genetic counseling (22% to 62%), oral hygiene (48% to 73%), and family history sharing (32% to 66%) increased (p<0.001).Conclusion: Brief genetic risk education enhances knowledge, improves enamel erosion and bottled water usage patterns, supports psychological adaptation, and promotes preventive behaviors, offering a scalable model for dental practice.