Knowledge and Awareness of the Association Between Periodontitis, Gastrointestinal Disorders, and Pancreatic Cancer: A Comparative Study Among Dental and Medical Postgraduate Students.

Background Periodontal disease is increasingly recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition with potential systemic implications. Growing evidence suggests associations between periodontal disease and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and pancreatic cancer, yet awareness of these links among future clinicians remains unclear. Aim This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge regarding the correlation of periodontal disease with GI disorders, liver disease, and pancreatic cancer among dental and medical postgraduate students in Maharashtra. Materials and methods This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 202 postgraduate students, including 108 dental and 94 medical postgraduates. A validated 18-close-ended questionnaire was distributed through WhatsApp. The questionnaire assessed demographic details, awareness, and knowledge regarding the relationship between periodontal disease and the selected systemic conditions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Medical postgraduates showed significantly higher overall awareness of the systemic implications of periodontal disease than dental postgraduates (4.37 ± 3.09 vs 5.48 ± 2.41, p < 0.001). However, the overall knowledge scores between the two groups were comparable and did not differ significantly (3.79 ± 1.34 vs 4.23 ± 1.90, p = 0.058). Awareness of the association between periodontal disease and GI cancers was limited in both groups. Knowledge regarding the links between periodontal disease, liver disease, and pancreatic cancer was also variable, with several statistically significant differences observed between the two groups in disease-specific responses. Conclusion Medical postgraduates demonstrated greater awareness than dental postgraduates; however, knowledge regarding the association between periodontitis, GI disorders, and pancreatic cancer was moderate and inconsistent in both groups.