The aim of this cross-sectional convenience sample survey was to assess attitudes of French dentists regarding stage III-IV grade C periodontitis in systemically healthy individuals. Among 225 dentists, 85.1% informed patients of the familial nature of periodontitis including 27.3% that recommended a consultation for the family. When dealing with a child who presented with severe periodontitis, 42.2% of the respondents did not advise examination of the parents. In addition, 39.1% of practitioners did not consider it possible to establish a family consultation. Finally, family factors are not often considered by French practitioners in the management of grade C periodontitis.
Keywords: aggressive periodontitis; familial aggregation; periodontal disease prevention/control; stage III-IV grade C periodontitis; therapeutic patient education.