Internalized Stigma and Tooth Loss Due to Periodontitis

This study included 155 volunteer individuals diagnosed with Stage III and Stage IV periodontitis who applied to Akdeniz University Faculty of Dentistry Periodontology Clinic between May 2023 and July 2024. 'Internalized Stigma Scale in Mental Illness', 'Individual Information Collection Form' including sociodemographic data and 'Patient Evaluation Form' including clinical periodontal parameters were obtained from these volunteers. This study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2013. After the rationale and method of the study were explained to the volunteers included in the study, a minimum informed consent form was signed. This study included patients diagnosed with Generalized Stage III and Generalized Stage IV periodontitis, according to the criteria defined in the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. Data Collection Procedure and Indexes: The internalized stigma scale(ISS) consists of 29 items and is a self-report scale assessing internalized stigma. ISS includes 5 subscales: 1. Alienation (6 items), 2. Confirmation of Stereotypes (7 items), 3. Perceived Discrimination (5 items), 4. Social Withdrawal (6 items), 5. Resistance to Stigmatization (5 items). ISS is a Likert-type scale calculated as 'strongly disagree' (1 point), 'disagree' (2 points), 'agree' (3 points), 'strongly agree' (4 points). The items of the 'Resistance to stigmatization' subscale are reverse scored. High scores on this scale indicate how aggressive the person's internalized stigma is negatively. ISS has been adapted for many diseases other than mental illnesses in our country and its validity and reliability have been demonstrated.In a recent study . ISS has been shown to be valid and reliable in halitosis (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). In the current study, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) Scale demonstrated high internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.947.