Abstract

Introduction: The intricate interplay between oral health and systemic well-being is gaining increasing recognition, challenging the traditional separation between dental and medical care. Mounting evidence implicates oral pathologies in the progression of systemic conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease. However, in urbanized Indian population, awareness of this interconnection remains relatively limited. This study aims to assess awareness and identify gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding oral-systemic health interactions. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire and 100 credible responses were included. Data were nalysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The majority of participants belonged to the 25-40 age group (41%) and were predominantly male (61%). Most participants (92%) were graduates or above. Nearly half were students. While a significant proportion recognized that oral health affects general health, awareness regarding specific links such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases was comparatively lower. Dental visits were largely symptom-driven rather than preventive. Conclusion: While urban India shows improved access to healthcare, awareness of oral-systemic health interactions remains insufficient. Bridging this gap requires integrated healthcare models, targeted education, and policy level interventions. KEYWORDS • Oral Health • Systemic Health • Awareness • Diabetes Mellitus • Cardiovascular Disease • Public Health Dentistry

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