Assessing public understanding of dental hygiene related risks for infective endocarditis in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

A BSTRACT Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection affecting the endocardial surface of heart valves or implanted cardiac devices. It can be caused by bacteremia from the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, or skin, often due to minor trauma or dental procedures. Poor oral hygiene is a recognized risk factor for IE, and while it is rare, the disease has severe outcomes, including high in-hospital and long-term mortality rates. This study aims to assess public awareness of poor oral health as a risk factor for IE in Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from late June 2020 to January 2021. A sample of 530 participants was surveyed using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via social media. Exclusion criteria included participants from medical colleges. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to examine associations between participants’ knowledge and practices related to oral hygiene and cardiac health. Results: Of the 530 participants, 67.5% were unaware of the relationship between oral health and cardiac disease, and 72.3% were not familiar with IE. Despite limited awareness, 84.2% expressed interest in learning more about the connection between dental care and heart disease. The most common barriers to dental visits were cost and fear of COVID-19. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a significant gap in public knowledge regarding the link between poor oral health and IE, highlighting the need for targeted education through media and healthcare channels to reduce the risk of IE.