Assessment of the oral health behavior, knowledge and status among dental and medical undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study

Oral health literacy and behaviors among Chinese university students: a comparative study of medical and non-medical students

BACKGROUND

Oral health literacy (OHL) plays a crucial role in improving oral health outcomes. Due to their academic background, medical students are presumed to have higher OHL levels than students in other disciplines. However, few studies have directly compared OHL and oral health behaviors between medical and non-medical students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited undergraduate students from seven universities in Shandong, China. A total of 2,695 students completed an online survey between August and September 2024. The questionnaire collected information on demographic characteristics, OHL, and oral health-related behaviors. OHL was measured using the validated Chinese version of the short-form Dental Health Literacy Scale (HeLD-14). Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and mediation analysis conducted with the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 1,572 (58.3%) were medical students. Medical students scored significantly higher on the HeLD-14 total score than non-medical students (56.96 ± 11.04 vs. 54.59 ± 11.24, P < 0.001), with consistently higher scores across all dimensions. In terms of oral health behaviors, medical students were more likely to brush after late-night snacks, use fluoride toothpaste, and floss regularly compared to non-medical students (all P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that OHL partially mediated the relationship between academic major and these oral health behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Medical students exhibit higher OHL and healthier oral health behaviors compared to non-medical students. Enhancing OHL among non-medical students may foster better oral health behaviors and improve overall oral health outcomes.

Knowledge and perception of specialties of dentistry among undergraduatein the Northeast China

BACKGROUND

Oral diseases are among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally. Due to their lifestyle choices and dietary habits, college students often exhibit poor oral health and are at a higher risk of developing oral diseases. Enhancing their understanding of oral health and increasing their awareness of the dental profession can foster better oral health practices and encourage preventive measures against oral diseases.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study gathered 560 valid responses from undergraduate students divided into three groups: stomatology students, non-dental medical students, and non-medical students. A specifically designed questionnaire assessed the participants' knowledge and attitudes towards dental specialties. Statistical analyses, including Welch's Test and Levene's Test, were performed using SPSS Version 26.0 to examine differences based on gender and undergraduate major.

RESULTS

Analysis of the 560 valid questionnaires revealed that female participants had significantly higher knowledge scores than their male counterparts (p < 0.05). Conversely, males demonstrated more favorable attitudes towards dental specialties (p < 0.05). Stomatology students scored higher than students from both other medical and non-medical major in knowledge and attitude assessments (p < 0.05), reflecting a more profound understanding and identification with their field. These results underscore the significant impact of gender and academic background on students' perceptions of dental specialties.

CONCLUSIONS

A concerning number of medical and non-medical students, including some dental students, exhibit limited awareness of oral health issues and the various dental specialties. It is imperative to implement educational reforms targeting medical students to enhance their understanding of dental specialties. This improvement will enable them to accurately identify oral diseases and make appropriate referrals, ultimately reducing patient suffering in their future medical practice.

Association between psychological resilience, social support and oral health behaviours in patients with implant dentures

BACKGROUND

With the improvement of living standards, implant dentures have become the choice of more and more patients with missing teeth. Dentures are not natural teeth, and may cause different degrees of negative impacts on patients in physiological, psychological and social aspects. The objective of this study was to examine the current status of psychological resilience among implant denture patients and the factors that influence it. Additionally, we aimed to analyse the correlation between psychological resilience, social support, and oral health behaviours, with a view to providing a scientific basis for the development of targeted interventions for patients with implant dentures.

METHODS

A survey of 238 patients with implant dentures was conducted in the Department of Stomatology of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University and Wuxi Stomatological Hospital. The survey included a self-designed general information questionnaire, disease condition questionnaire, The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and The oral health behavior scale.

RESULTS

The CD-RISC score of patients with implant dentures was 66.49 ± 15.59, while the SSRS score was 37.90 ± 7.73, and the oral health behaviour score was 34.73 ± 7.92. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, economic status, social support, and oral health behavioural status were factors influencing the psychological resilience of patients with implant dentures (all P < 0.05), and the psychological resilience score was positively correlated with the score of oral health behaviours and the score of social support (P < 0.05), and the score of oral health behaviours was positively correlated with the score of social support (P < 0.05). Oral health behaviour partially mediated the relationship between psychological resilience and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

The postoperative psychological resilience of patients with implant dentures is at an average level and is affected by various factors, among which social support not only has a direct effect on the psychological resilience of patients with implant dentures, but also has an indirect effect on their psychological resilience through oral health behaviours. Healthcare professionals should actively adopt targeted nursing interventions to improve the psychological resilience of patients, improve their postoperative oral health behaviours, and improve their quality of life.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Oral health status of individuals with eating disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the oral health status of individuals diagnosed with eating disorders (EDs) compared to healthy controls.

DATA & SOURCES

Electronic database search was conducted in five databases. Two independent reviewers carried out screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis (by type of eating disorder), and certainty of evidence grading with Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Assessed oral health outcomes included dental caries, erosion, oral hygiene, periodontal status, salivary flow, pH and composition, myofascial pain, bruxism, malocclusion, oral lesions, dentine hypersensitivity, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

STUDY SELECTION

The literature search yielded 2,322 articles. Thirty-three articles were included in the present review.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with EDs had poorer oral health outcomes compared to healthy controls, although the effect estimates are uncertain due to very low certainty of evidence. Dental caries and gingival inflammation severity, and prevalence of dental erosion, myofascial pain, malocclusion, oral lesions, and dentine sensitivity were higher amongst individuals with EDs compared to healthy controls. They also had lower salivary flow and pH, which are risk factors for oral diseases. No significant difference in bruxism was noted and inconclusive results were obtained for oral hygiene and periodontal status. Dental professionals may identify signs of EDs during routine appointments and may play an important role in the early referral and prompt management of patients with EDs. Clinical Significance With growing awareness of the interconnectedness between oral and psychological health, this article reviews various oral health outcomes in individuals with eating disorders compared to controls. The findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration as dentists may be among the first to detect these issues during routine appointments.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Oral Cancer Among Dental Students From Two Private Colleges in Pakistan: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Globally, oral cancer is still a major public health concern, with different lifestyle and socioeconomic variables influencing its occurrence.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the prevalence and risk factors of oral cancer among students from private colleges in Pakistan, identifying patterns and variations in risk profiles within this group.

METHODOLOGY

This six-month cross-sectional research was carried out at Azra Naheed Dental College and Rahbar College of Dentistry, two private dental institutions in Lahore, Pakistan. Four hundred and thirty students between the ages of 18 and 30 who were split evenly between the two schools made up the sample. A well-structured questionnaire including lifestyle variables, oral cancer awareness, and demographic information was used to gather data. Dental practitioners with training conducted clinical oral exams to look for any indications of oral lesions. The demographic variables were summed up using descriptive statistics, and the relationships between risk factors and the prevalence of oral cancer were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to define statistical significance.

RESULTS

Among the 430 students, 215 were from Azra Naheed Dental College and 215 were from Rahbar College of Dentistry; 12 students (5.58%) at Azra Naheed and 19 students (8.84%) at Rahbar College were found to have oral lesions. Regarding lifestyle factors, 69 students (32.22%) at Azra Naheed and 62 students (28.89%) at Rahbar College reported current tobacco use. Regular betel quid chewing was observed in 93 students (43.33%) at Azra Naheed compared to 77 students (35.56%) at Rahbar College. Dietary habits showed that 148 students (68.89%) at Azra Naheed and 138 students (64.44%) at Rahbar College consumed a diet high in processed foods. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant risk factors for oral cancer, including current tobacco use (odds ratio (OR) = 2.15, p = 0.001), regular betel quid chewing (OR = 2.87, p < 0.001), and a diet high in processed foods (OR = 1.62, p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

The research identifies important risk factors for oral cancer among dentistry college students, pointing to the need for focused preventative and educational initiatives to address lifestyle-related concerns.

Predicting oral hygiene practices through health behavior, perceived stress and self-efficacy in undergraduate dental students of Pakistan: a national survey

BACKGROUND

Dental students face the rigorous demands of coursework, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and stress. These pressures can negatively influence self-efficacy and cause neglect in practicing healthy behaviors that encompass oral health. Identifying the associations of these variables with oral hygiene practices can help in the formulation of interventions tailored toward supporting young students. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of health behaviors, perceived stress and self-efficacy on oral hygiene practices among undergraduate dental students in Pakistan.

METHODS

A national online survey was carried out among 904 students across the dental colleges of Pakistan. The survey assessed general health behaviors such as tobacco use, sleep, and exercise, among other demographic variables. Perceived stress was evaluated via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and self-efficacy was evaluated via the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Twice daily brushing, brushing for 2 min, and changing toothbrushes after 3 months informed oral hygiene practice of the participants.

RESULTS

The students experienced moderate perceived stress (20.82 ± 5.92) and high self-efficacy (29.19 ± 5.43). The majority of participants were in their third year (31.9%), were female (65.9%), and resided in home during their studies (64.4%). Perceived stress was observed to have no significant effect on the oral practice of participants. Female gender, non tobacco user, regular exercise, frequent dental visits and higher self-efficacy were associated with good oral hygiene practices.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the importance of addressing stress, enhancing self-efficacy and encouraging healthy behaviors among dental students to improve their oral health, which could be reflected in their professional practice and personal well-being. This study contributes to the understanding of behavioral determinants and emphasizes the need for supportive measures to foster better health behaviors in future dental professionals.

Correlation between the Oral and Mental Health of University Students in Serbia-A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the correlation between subjective oral health status and mental health in a group of university students in Serbia.

METHODS

The study included 948 students, aged between 18 and 27, from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia, and was conducted in 2020. The World Health Organization's Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults was utilized to evaluate the respondents' self-perceived oral health and oral hygiene practices. The existence of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) was used for determining anxiety symptoms.

RESULTS

It is observed that 28.9% of respondents exhibit symptoms of depression and 42.3% showed symptoms of anxiety. Results show that students with severe depression and anxiety symptoms very often reported lower self-perceived oral health and oral health problems. Although the nature of this relationship has not been thoroughly evaluated, several studies have shown a mutually dependent connection between oral health and mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that some aspects of oral health are associated with higher risks of developing symptoms of depression or anxiety, and vice versa.

Are Dentists Hypocrites? Oral Self-care Habits and Self-reported Oral Health Status among Dentists and Non-dentists in Croatia

Objectives

Dentists provide dental care to their patients and educate them on their oral hygiene and how to maintain oral health. This paper aimed to determine whether dentists are hypocritical when advising their patients on oral hygiene procedures and dental treatments because they do not apply to themselves what they recommend to others.

Material and methods

This is a self-reported study conducted through an online survey questionnaire completed by 1001 participants, of whom 551 were non-dentists and 450 dentists. This is the first study on oral hygiene habits and oral status among dentists in Croatia. This research included almost 10% of the total number of working dentists in Croatia.

Results

In terms of dental hygiene habits, dentists brushed, flossed and used interdental brushes more frequently, and they also changed toothbrushes more frequently, whereas they attended check-ups less frequently. Dentists also reported a smaller number of teeth with cavities, a greater number of teeth with fillings, a greater number of extracted teeth, and a greater number of dental crowns, but a smaller number of healthy teeth compared to general population. However, dentists had a much higher proportion of participants over 30 years of age, and when sub-analysis of participants over 30 years of age was performed, dentists had a greater number of healthy teeth compared to the general population.

Conclusions

The results showed that dentists are aware of the importance of their oral health and that they do not pay attention only to their oral hygiene habits, but also apply advice they give their patients. Therefore, they cannot be considered hypocritical.

[Knowledge level of periodontal health in students of health sciences. a cross-sectional study]

Introduction

Periodontal disease is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease, so knowledge about this disease is important for health professionals for an assertive and early diagnosis.

Objective

Determine the level of knowledge about periodontal health in Health Sciences students at a private university in Lima-Perú.

Materials and Methods

Through a descriptive and cross-sectional study, 200 students from the Faculty of Health Sciences were evaluated. The sample size was obtained using a proportion estimation formula. The level of knowledge about periodontal health was measured using a specific virtual and self-applicable questionnaire, which was fully validated. University students of legal age and who signed the informed consent were included. This consisted of 16 questions about the causes, signs, prevention habits and relationship with systemic diseases related to periodontal disease. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequencies) and means and averages for age.

Results

The level of knowledge was medium in 38%, high in 32.5% and low in 29.5% of the students surveyed. 96.5% knew that periodontal disease is preventable; However, 91.5% do not know what its main clinical sign is.

Conclusions

The use of a self-applicable and specific questionnaire is beneficial to evaluate and measure knowledge about periodontal health, and the Health Sciences students evaluated have a medium level of knowledge about periodontal health.

Need for dental care among medical staff working in the China Antarctic stations

Even though China Antarctic medical care has made huge progress, dental care has always been a neglected area. Dental health is well-known to be closely related with life quality and work efficiency. Hence, knowing the dental care situation there and providing ways to improve are urgently needed. We choose doctors who worked in China Antarctic station as a window to see the whole picture by sending questionnaire. The results showed dental visits ranked second high, the ratio of doctors who got pre-departure dental knowledge education and screen is low. What is worse, none of them got any after-departure dental check. Their dental knowledge is not as good as we expect, and they were troubled by dental problems in Antarctic. Interestingly, most dental problems were treated by non-dentist with no essential equipment, but 2/3 of them were satisfied with the outcome. As for the dental-related diet and behaviour, snacks eating and alcohol drinking are the strongest predictors of dental pain and gum problem. Those findings are crucial to Antarctic dental care and research.

Efficient Removal of Dental Plaque Biofilm from Training Typodont Teeth via Water Flosser

Plaque biofilms play critical roles in the development of dental caries. Mechanical plaque control methods are considered to be most effective for plaque removal, such as brushing teeth or using flosser. Recently, water flosser has been paid much attention. Here, we tested the ability of a water flosser to remove the adhered sucrose and the dental plaque biofilms formed by Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Actinobacillus viscosus. We found that the residual sucrose concentration was 3.54 mg/mL in the control group, 1.75 mg/mL in the syringe group (simulating the ordinary mouthwash), and 0 mg/mL in water flosser group. In addition, the residual bacterial concentration was 3.6 × 108 CFU/mL in the control group, 1.6 × 107 CFU/mL in the syringe group, and only 5.5 × 105 CFU/mL in the water flosser group. In summary, water flosser is effective for cleaning the teeth, which may have significant potential in preventing dental caries and maintaining oral health.

Oral health behavior and oral health service utilization among cancer patients in China: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Purpose

Oral health plays an important role in overall health. But there is scarce information available on oral health behavior and oral health service utilization among cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate oral health behavior and oral health service utilization among different population groups of cancer patients in China.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study in three tertiary hospitals was conducted to explore the oral health behaviors and oral health service utilization of 162 cancer patients in China.

Results

We investigated a total of 162 cancer patients, 81 from urban and rural areas, respectively. The participant’s ages ranged from 18 and 82 years, mean age was 44.62 years (SD = 15.72). Overall, cancer patients have poor oral health behaviors and limited oral health service utilization. There were statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) between urban and rural cancer patients in terms of oral health behaviors, including brushing methods, the use of fluoride toothpaste, the use of dental floss, dental caries, and bleeding gums while brushing teeth. As for oral health service utilization, there were significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) between urban and rural cancer patients on regular dental cleaning, the reasons for visiting a dental clinic, and whether they took the initiative to learn about oral health.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that cancer patients had poor oral health behaviors and limited oral health service utilization, and rural patients perform poorer than their urban counterparts. Oral health education should be provided to cancer patients to improve their oral health behaviors and oral health service utilization.

Developing an oral healthcare assessment strategy to enhance patient care

The promotion of oral healthcare is an integral part of nursing care. However, research has shown that staff in hospitals and community care settings often lack oral healthcare skills. This article details a quality improvement project in which a scoping exercise was undertaken in one NHS trust to assess whether ward-based oral healthcare provision was adequate. The scoping exercise identified that there was a need to address the lack of oral healthcare provision in the trust. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary working group developed an oral healthcare assessment tool and rolled this out across the trust. The authors also provided online training for nurses in the trust to assist them in using the new tool. At the same time, an audit of the oral healthcare products used in the trust, and their appropriateness, was undertaken.

Assessment of the oral health literacy and oral health behaviors among nurses in China: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Oral health is important for general health; nurses are expected to possess good oral health awareness and work together for public oral health promotion. The purpose of this study is to investigate oral health literacy (OHL)and oral health behaviors of nurses, and explore the association between oral health literacy with demographic variables and oral health behaviors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital was conducted using a short-form Health Literacy in Dentistry-14 (HeLD-14) and a 16-items oral health behaviors questionnaire. Information about the subjects' demographic details including age, gender, place of residence, marital status, marital status, education level, monthly household income, working experience, etc. were collected. Independent sample t- test, One- way ANOVA, and multivariable regression were used to identify the association of oral health literacy with demographic variables and oral health behaviors.

RESULTS

A total number of 317 nursing nurses participated in the survey, with a mean OHL score of 36.72, SD10.531, 21.8% were categorized as good, 34.1% medium and 44.2% poor oral health literacy; monthly household income, self-rated oral health, brushing time, use of fluoride toothpaste, and regular oral examination were signficantly associated with OHL scores.

CONCLUSION

The overall oral health literacy of the nurse population is at a moderate to low level. These findings may help to map and design an oral health education intervention to improve oral health literacy amongst nurses, especially nurses with low monthly household income and poor self-assessed oral health status. Nursing administrators and nursing educators should pay more attention to the oral health status of the nurse population.

Your health is in your mouth: A comprehensive view to promote general wellness

Background

Even though various studies recognize the importance of the oral cavity to have general health, in multidisciplinary professional practice it is almost always excluded and on an individual basis, very commonly neglected. Oral diseases are preventable, still, they are highly prevalent. Although some studies consider oral health within integral health, currently, there is no model in which the mouth is integrated within other levels for the achievement of well-being. The objective of this article was to review the importance of oral health and its connection with well-being and, based on these findings, propose a complex and comprehensive perspective for approach and care.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were revised for randomized controlled trials and reviews that included search terms related to oral health and its relationship with the general health in its different levels (physical, psychological, social and environmental).

Results

The review shows that oral health is critical, as the teeth and mouth are not only an integral part of the body, but also, they also support and enable essential human functions. That is, oral health has a multidimensional nature, as it includes the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains that are essential for overall health and well-being. Likewise, the mouth is the psychological seat of the first physiological needs and emotional gratifications, with it we take a taste of the world around us. Thus, the mouth plays an important role in the feeling of unity and in the constitution of the self. Based on these results we propose an integrative model in which the mouth is the first step for well-being and from this integrative model we build a multidisciplinary approach which could be used in the clinical practice for the promotion of oral care and general health.

Conclusion

The effort on the part of oral health professionals is essential for people's well-being and must be integrated as part of health promotion. Dental treatments alone cannot solve this problem, it requires a comprehensive and approach in which the bio-psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental determinants are included to face this global oral health challenge. That is, without a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to medical science that includes dental and oral health, our public policies cannot provide the best answers to health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Predisposing Factors for Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis among Undergraduate Dental Students

Objectives The prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) among the general population worldwide is 20%. This study aims to discover any correlations between RAS predisposing factors and the gender and year of study of undergraduate dental students at the Faculty of Dental Medicine at Airlangga University.

Methods A cross-sectional analytical study using simple random sampling was performed. The respondents answered seven questions on a self-reported online questionnaire set up using Google Forms. Chi-square analyses were conducted to determine any correlation between RAS predisposing factors and the gender and year of study of the students.

Results The highest predisposing factors for RAS in undergraduate dental students were local trauma (77.7%) followed by stress (71.3%) and nutritional deficiencies (41.5%). Stress correlated strongly with the year of study (p = 0.015). There was no correlation between gender and RAS predisposing factors (p > 0.05).

Conclusion There was a correlation between stress, one of the predisposing factors for RAS, and the year of study, but there was no correlation between gender and RAS predisposing factors including local trauma, stress, nutritional deficiency, genetics, allergies, and systemic diseases.

Assessment of the professional dental cleaning knowledge, behavior and medical compliance among dentists, medical doctors and non-medical staffs: a cross sectional study in Chongqing, China

BACKGROUND

The professional dental cleaning (PDC) is an effective supplement that can make up for the lack of self-oral health care. Everyone should develop the habit of regular PDC. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, behaviors and medical compliance of dentists, medical doctors and non-medical staffs about the PDC, identify the gaps, and provide information to help individuals develop healthy oral hygiene habit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A web-based survey with 21 questions designed based on the characteristics, the PDC knowledge, behaviors, and medical compliance of respondents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the main districts of Chongqing, China, in the period of September-November 2020. A total of 456 respondents including 153 dentists, 137 medical doctors and 166 non-medical staffs in 3 communities and 4 hospitals were sampled online with multistage sampling and surveyed. The data was analyzed by chi-square test using IBM SPSS Statistics v. 21.0.

RESULTS

The cognitive level and behavior of dentists on the PDC was significantly better than that of medical doctors and non-medical staffs (p = 0.000-0.044). The rates of not knowing "dental plaque" were 32.85% and 61.45%, of the medical doctors and non-medical staffs. Meanwhile, most of them had misunderstanding about effects of the PDC. They thought it would whiten teeth (72.99%, 80.72%), damage gums (16.79%, 19.88%) and teeth (15.33%, 21.69%), and create bigger gaps between teeth (24.82%, 33.13%). In terms of gum health and the PDC behavior, significant differences were observed, 23.53% of dentists experienced irritated gum bleeding in the last 12 months, 42.28% did not have their teeth cleaned professionally in the last 12 months, even 7.84% never had it before. Compared with it, in the same situation, the ratios of medical doctors and non-medical staffs were about 60% experiencing irritated gum bleeding, 69.34% and 77.71% not experiencing the PDC in the last 12 months, up to 33.58% and 45.18% never experienced it before. 41 respondents (8.99%) disagreed with the reasonable and necessary medical behaviors before the PDC.

CONCLUSION

People's understanding about the PDC was insufficient, and many people, included some dentists, had not developed the habit of regular dental cleaning. Our study provided a new understanding of the PDC among dentists, medical doctors, and non-medical staffs, which may help to improve their awareness and behavior of oral hygiene health, and establish the multidisciplinary collaborations between dentists and medical doctors.

College Students with Oral Habits Exhibit Worse Psychological Status and Temporomandibular-Related Quality of Life: A Correlational Study

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between oral habits, psychological status, and temporomandibular-related quality of life among college students.

Materials and Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to college students who were willing to participate in this anonymous survey, which contained questions about the demographic characteristics of the participants, the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4), the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), and the Oral Health Impact Profile for temporomandibular disorders (OHIP-TMDs).

Results

A total of 505 valid questionnaires were collected from 200 males and 305 females (a mean age of 21.81 ± 2.81 years). The prevalence of oral habits in college students was 58% (294/505). Female gender (odds ratio (OR) 1.786) and having oral habits (OR 1.893) were associated with depression and anxiety. Medical students had significantly less depression and anxiety (OR 0.459) than nonmedical students. The possibility of suffering from temporomandibular disorder (TMDs) as evidenced by the OHIP-TMDs score was associated with female gender (OR 1.989) and having oral habits (OR 3.482). Students with oral habits had higher OHIP-TMDs scores.

Conclusion

More than half of the college students surveyed had specific oral habits, with a higher prevalence in women than in men. Having oral habits was related to a worse psychological status, higher risk of TMD, and worse temporomandibular-related quality of life.

Development and Initial Validation of the Oral Health Activities Questionnaire

Background: The purpose of this study was to introduce a new Oral Health Activities Questionnaire (OHAQ, hereinafter) that examines different activities and behaviours related to the oral hygiene regimen of each analysed subject. Methods: A sample of 658 students was analysed to determine the OHAQ scale’s basic metric characteristics. To determine the construct validity of the OHAQ, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, as well as differences testing, were applied to groups of subjects on the basis of self-reported oral status measures. Results: The dimensions of oral health activities were determined, and the scales for their measurement were constructed. Females and males differed in the OHAQ questionnaire measures. Significant but low intercorrelations were found among the measures. In the female and male subsample, four different oral health (OH, hereinafter) types of subjects were identified, exhibiting different characteristic behaviours regarding oral health. OHAQ scales showed good discriminant validity, revealing the differences related to specific self-reported oral status measures (e.g., frequency of toothache and the number of filled teeth). Conclusions: The OHAQ represents a satisfactory measurement instrument for determining the level of OH activities and for doing quick and reliable classifications of the participating subjects according to their OH activities and behaviours. The process of further validation and advancements of the OHAQ scales and measures should be continued through a clinical examination of subjects.

Relationship between erosive tooth wear and possible etiological factors among dental students

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between erosive tooth wear (ETW) and possible etiological factors in a group of dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 126 dental students from a public dental school were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to investigate the possible etiological factors related to ETW. The Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) criteria were used to examine the status of ETW. A univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the presence of ETW and explanatory variables.

RESULTS

Univariable analysis revealed that taking acidic foods and alcohol more than 4-5 times per week increases the odds of ETW by 6.043 and 2.532 times, respectively, and taking dairy products, fruit juice, and milk more than 4-5 times per week decreases the likelihood of ETW by 61%, 66%, and 80%, respectively. The results of multivariable regression analysis showed that the frequency of consumption of especially acidic foods significantly increased the risk of ETW (OR = 9.981, 95% CI 3.577-27.849, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the ETW status of dental students, who are the future dentists, varies depending on different possible etiological factors, especially the consumption of acidic foods has increased the risk of ETW approximately 10 times.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings highlight the high relevance of ETW, especially with acidic food consumption, and the importance of controlling potential etiological factors in dental students.

A survey of oral health status, subjective oral symptoms and oral health behaviors among first-year dental students at a Japanese university

PURPOSE

The rapid deterioration of oral health in young adults is an alarming problem in Japan. The aim of the present study is to investigate the oral health status, subjective oral symptoms and oral health behaviors of dental students.

METHODS

Participants were 108 first-year students attending dental school in 2018-2019. Oral examinations were performed to assess dental caries indices, oral hygiene status, gingival bleeding on probing (BOP) and pocket depth. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess subjective oral symptoms and oral health behaviors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of decayed teeth (DT) and gingivitis (BOP ≥ 10%) were 43.5% and 50.0%, respectively. Having DT and gingivitis were significantly associated with poorer oral hygiene. No association was observed between DT and subjective symptoms. Having gingivitis was significantly associated with xerostomia, mouth-breathing and less use of interdental cleaning tools. Multiple logistic regression analysis for gingivitis yielded an odds ratio of 1.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.67) for plaque score, and 2.75 (1.27-5.98) for xerostomia.

CONCLUSION

Since a relatively high ratio of students had DT and gingivitis without clear subjective symptoms, they require regular dental visits for early treatment and oral hygiene maintenance from the start of their time at university.

Caries prevalence, oral health practices/behaviours and dental anxiety levels amongst dental hygiene students: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine caries prevalence, oral health practices/behaviours and dental anxiety levels amongst dental hygiene students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine students' oral hygiene practices/behaviours. The students were subjected to oral examinations to determine their decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) scores according to the WHO criteria. In addition, the Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS) was used to measure the students' dental anxiety levels.

RESULTS

A total of 280 students (mean age: 20.8 years) participated in this study. Amongst the students, 52.8% brush their teeth twice a day, and 17.48% and 15.17% use floss and mouthwash daily, respectively. Moreover, the defined smoking rate was 22.85%. The mean DMFT scores of the preclinical and clinical students were 3.39 ± 3.22 and 3.55 ± 3.19, respectively. Most of the students (82.6%) preferred fluoride toothpaste, and the DMFT scores of those who use and do not use fluoride toothpaste significantly differed (p = 0.031). Furthermore, junk-food consumption affected the scores for decayed teeth (p = 0.048) and missing teeth (p = 0.039). Most students had low or moderate CDAS scores (CDAS <13), and anxiety scores were lower amongst the clinical students than amongst the preclinical students.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the students demonstrated favourable oral health behaviours/practices and low caries prevalence, their adherence to oral hygiene instructions and to healthy dietary and lifestyle habits should improve. The importance of this topic should be strongly emphasized in the undergraduate curriculum. For this purpose, professional behavioural control methods that suit students' individual capacities, motivations and therapeutic needs may be employed. The principal findings of similar studies should be evaluated by lecturers to help students adopt optimal oral health practices/behaviours, reducing their dental anxiety levels and improving their professional competencies.

Correlation of knowledge, attitude, and practice with their oral health status among young adults of nursing care: A cross-sectional survey

Background:

Nursing profession execute an imperative role in health promotion, disease, and injury prevention, providing care and assist in cure of patients with diverse age groups, and backgrounds both in individual and community settings. The study aimed to determine and compare the oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) with oral health status among nursing students in Salem.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on nursing students of Vinayaka Mission's Annapoorna College of Nursing, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. The study included self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details and oral health KAP questions (18-items) followed by oral examination using the World Health Organization survey (2013). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.

Results:

Two hundred and sixty-one students were included in the survey (63 males and 198 females). Females reported better mean ± standard deviation (SD) in knowledge (24.08 ± 4.3), attitude (5.43 ± 1.3), and practice (10.82 ± 1.5, P = 0.000) than males. Moreover third-year students had higher mean ± SD scores in knowledge (24.42 ± 4.3) and practice (10.89 ± 1.7) while higher mean ± SD attitude scores (5.61 ± 1.2) was reported among second years. Relationship between attitude-practice indicated a positive significant correlation (r = 0.145, P = 0.05).

Conclusions:

There are an adequate knowledge, negative attitude, and inadequate practice toward oral health among nursing students. The study introspects the gap between knowledge and actions. As attitude influence on a person's behavior, discriminate knowledge in the right direction to best bring out the outcomes.

Effect of an educational intervention on manual toothbrush bristle wear: A light microscopic study

Background and Objectives

The usage of a toothbrush with the most appropriate bristle type and a correct brushing technique are the most important factors in determining the thoroughness of plaque control. The dental undergraduate course conventionally does not impart tooth brushing techniques in the preclinical years. This study aimed to assess the effect of an educational intervention of correct tooth brushing technique on the wear of toothbrush bristles by light microscopic examination amongst the budding dental professionals.

Materials and Methods

Toothbrush bristle wear was measured by light microscopy before and after an educational intervention amongst 30 first-year dental professional students. Wear index (WI), wear rate (WR), and acceptable percentage of bristle end morphology were calculated. Mann-Whitney U-statistics test and unpaired t-test were used to compare measurements of acceptable percentage and gender wise, respectively. The difference was said to be significant if P < 0.05.

Results

The mean WI before intervention was 0.29 ± 0.122 and after the intervention was 0.23 ± 0.07, while the mean WR before intervention was 1.6 ± 0.167 and after the intervention was 1.17 ± 0.46% of bristle end morphology before intervention was 52.5 ± 10.064 and after intervention was 64.5 ± 5.625 with the difference being statistically significant with P < 0.05.

Interpretations and Conclusion

The present study highlights the importance of imparting a correct tooth brushing technique in reducing the toothbrush bristle wear and improving the efficiency of the toothbrush in maintaining optimum oral hygiene. Early intervention of correct oral hygiene measures is especially prudent for the budding dental professional for future healthcare delivery to the general population.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Iranian Nurses towards Toothbrush Maintenance and Use

Background

Since nurses are considered a role model in society, they should have sufficient knowledge, attitude, and practice in the field of oral hygiene. This study was aimed to assess the nurses' knowledge, practice, and attitude towards toothbrush maintenance and use.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 325 nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences were randomly recruited. Data collection tools included a demographic information form and a researcher-made questionnaire on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding toothbrush maintenance and use. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H).

Results

The mean scores of nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice were 59.2 ± 16.4, 64.2 ± 20.6, and 51.4 ± 17.0 out of 100, respectively. There was no statistically significant relation between nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice and their gender, age, level of education, and work experience.

Conclusions

Nurses had moderate knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding toothbrush maintenance and use, which is not very desirable given their role model. Therefore, training courses are recommended to be held to increase the nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding toothbrush maintenance and use.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Hygiene Behaviours among In-School Adolescents in Ghana

(1) Background: Despite a global call to act to resolve communicable diseases caused by lack of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, many people in low- and middle-income countries continue to die each year. In this study, we looked at in-school adolescents’ oral and hand hygiene activities in Ghana, as well as the factors that influence them. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that utilised data on 1348 in-school adolescents from the 2012 global school-based health survey. Using Stata software version 14.2, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. All statistical analyses were considered significant at p-value < 0.05. (3) Results: The prevalence of good hygiene behaviour was 62.6% and 79.9% for good oral hygiene and good hand hygiene, respectively. In-school adolescents who were truant were 31% (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51–0.92) and 28% (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.54–0.87), respectively, less likely to practise good hand and oral hygiene compared to those who were not. Adolescents whose parents supervised their homework, however, had higher probabilities of practising good hand (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.64–2.31) and oral (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.80–3.04) hygiene respectively. Adolescents aged 18 years and above were 1.33 times more likely to practice good oral hygiene than younger adolescents (AOR=1.33, 95% CI = 1.07–1.66). Adolescents who were bullied had lower odds of practicing good hand hygiene (AOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52–0.94). (4) Conclusions: While good hygiene behaviour remains a major strategy in decreasing the prevalence of communicable diseases, the less than 65% prevalence of hand hygiene we observed in the current study is indicative of the country’s inability to achieve water, hygiene and sanitation for all by the year 2030. To accelerate progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, there is a need for the implementation of innovative interventions which seek to promote good hygiene behaviours among adolescents and the expansion of existing interventions, such as the WASH initiative, in schools. Such interventions should focus more on younger adolescents, those who are truant, and adolescents who suffer from bullying in school.

The effects of oral health education regarding periodontal health on non-dental undergraduates in southwestern China-exploring the feasibility of an e-learning course for oral health promotion

Background

The high prevalence of periodontal diseases is an important oral health problem worldwide. It is necessary to increase public knowledge on and influence attitudes towards periodontal diseases in order to prevent them. However, the effect of oral health education (OHE) as a primary preventive method in China is unsatisfactory. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of extending an e-learning course regarding periodontal health by comparing the effects of oral health education regarding periodontal health (OHE-PH) on dental and non-dental students and the effects between a traditional course and an e-learning course among non-dental students at Sichuan University.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and a post-test was performed. A total of 217 dental students and 134 non-dental students attended a traditional course; 69 non-dental students attended an e-learning course. Before- and after-course questionnaires about periodontal health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours were administered.

Results

After the traditional/e-learning course, the knowledge of both dental and non-dental students about periodontal diseases and self-reported behaviours for gingival bleeding and oral care improved. The non-dental students reached or surpassed the level of dental students before the course. The non-dental students taking the e-learning course performed better in some areas than those taking the traditional course.

Conclusions

OHE-PH was effective for dental and non-dental students. The e-learning course on OHE-PH was sufficient for improving knowledge and self-reported behaviours among non-dental undergraduates and was even better than the traditional course in some areas. The e-learning course may be an effective method for periodontal health education and oral health promotion among undergraduates.

Knowledge and awareness about dentistry among medical students, residents, and medical practitioners in Bhairahawa city, Nepal

Introduction:

Oral health is considered to be a mirror of systemic health and vice-versa. Medical professionals are considered to be the primary caregivers in a given population and as such a vast majority of the population visits them for health-related problems. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of dentistry among first-year medical students, residents, and medical practitioners.

Methods:

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the knowledge and awareness of dentistry among MBBS first-year students, medical residents, and medical practitioners of Bhairahawa city, Nepal. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 11.

Results:

As per the demographic characteristics out of 147 subjects 82 (55.8%) were male and 65 (44.2%) were female. Most of the participants were from the age group of 21–30 years, 66 (44.9%) and 115 (78.2%) of them were married. Among 147 subjects every respondent (100%) knew about the profession of dentistry giving statistically significant results.

Conclusion:

The present study shows that medical professionals had better knowledge of dentistry as compared to medical students and residents. This unnecessary gap between dental and medical professionals can only be fulfilled by including dental education in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical curriculum.

Oral Health-Related Risk Factors Among Students in Southeast Serbia

Background

An association between insufficient or irregular oral hygiene with the occurrence of dental caries, gingival/periodontal diseases, and consequently general diseases has been established.

The null hypothesis that there is no difference in the oral health status among students in a preclinical medical program and those who went through a clinical medical program was tested. The main objective of the study was to analyze oral health risk factors (oral hygiene practices, attitudes, and behavior) as well as their impact on oral health by using convenience sampling.

Material/Methods

We investigated risk factors for oral health conditions by examining oral hygiene practices, attitudes, and behaviors among the students in the medical program of the University of Niš, collecting data using questionnaires. The study included 396 students of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and vocational studies. Participants filled out the anonymous questionnaire.

Results

In both groups, parents were mostly employed, with the representation of employed fathers significantly higher in student group 1 (P<0.05), which is also the only statistically significant difference between the groups. In terms of oral hygiene practices, students were most often trained by parents (68.69%). A very high percentage of students brushed their teeth every day (97.22%), and 54.55% did this twice a day. Of the total number of students, 78.28% thought that it was necessary to use interdental brushes/floss/toothpick. The duration of teeth cleaning was 3 minutes in 39.39%, whereas 55.30% thought that it should be longer than 3 minutes. The most common brushing movements were combined movements and were used by 60.35% of all students. Of all students, 253 (63.89%) never smoked, 182 (49.96%) regularly went to the dentist, and 141 (35.61%) visited the dentist 6 months ago. The majority of students, 265 (66.92%), obtained the greatest amount of information about oral and tooth care from their dentist, which was the case in both age groups.

Conclusions

This study highlights oral health risk factors among students at the University of Niš. It is essential to determine their oral health knowledge, as it is of great significance both to patients and to students. Also, these students will be the major providers of health services and will be responsible for public oral health promotion. It could help in reformation of the oral health education program. The results of this research indicate that it is necessary to educate preclinical students to solve oral health issues.

Can Goal-Based Health Management Improve the Health Knowledge, Health Belief and Health Behavior in People at High Risk of Stroke? A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

To examine the effectiveness of goal-based health management on health knowledge, health belief and health behavior in people at high risk of stroke.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a two-armed and non-randomized controlled trial from May 31, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Participants were arranged to receive regular health care (n=126) or goal-based health management (n=126). The generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the changes in the participants' health knowledge, health belief and health behavior at baseline (T0), 1-month (T1), 3-month (T3), and 6-month (T6).

RESULTS

A total of 243 participants completed the 6-month study, of which 123 were in the control group and 120 were in the intervention group. After receiving goal-based health management, participants' health behavior (β=27.154, p<0.001), health knowledge (β=10.504, p<0.001) and health belief (β=49.057, p<0.001) scores increased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Goal-based health management can effectively improve the health knowledge, health belief and health behavior of people at high risk of stroke. We recommend that nurses can provide goal-based health management for people at high risk of stroke with support from hospitals and family members of people at high risk of stroke.

Nurses' educational needs in the oral health of inpatients at Yazd Province in Iran: a Delphi study

Background

Oral hygiene is an integral part of general health of a person. Nurses qualified about oral care can play an important role in improving the quality of oral health in hospitalized patients. This study investigated the educational needs of nurses in the field of oral health of hospitalized patients.

Methods

The study used the modified Delphi method in three rounds. Fifty faculty members of the School of Dentistry and Nursing were selected via purposive sampling. The data collection tool was a demographic form and an open-ended questionnaire in the first round and a structured questionnaire in the next rounds. The analysis was performed using both content and descriptive analysis techniques.

Results

The top ten oral health education priorities for nurses were greater than 75% with a consensus level: oral anatomy and physiology, learning the signs and symptoms of common oral diseases, learning of oral medications and administration, learning the drugs that cause damage to the mouth and teeth, training in managing dental emergencies, patient education for tooth brushing and taking care of the mouth, especially in the elderly patient, providing oral and dental care, training for unconscious and fasting patients, undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and hospitalization in intensive care unit.

Conclusion

The findings of the study emphasized the need for interdisciplinary cooperation between nursing and dental professionals for the development of an oral health curriculum for nurses to promote and improve oral health and prevent dental diseases in hospitalized patients and the community.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-020-00517-8.

Awareness and Practice of Oral Health Measures in Medina, Saudi Arabia: An Observational Study

The aim of this observational study is to investigate the oral health status and practices in the multicultural community of Medina, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed that asked about oral health, dental and periodontal conditions, personal attitudes toward dental care, and smoking habits. Cross tabulation with chi-squared testing was carried out to investigate the association of toothbrush usage and smoking with several variables. Four-hundred and sixty subjects enrolled in the study. The majority of the respondents were students and Saudi males. More than 75% of the participants had neither a family dentist nor dental insurance; 7% were smokers, 84% used a toothbrush, 17% used dental floss and 34% used miswak (a teeth cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree). Some of the individuals complained of tooth sensitivity, halitosis and bleeding gums. The main reason for dental visits was pain, with 23% of the participants having never visited a dentist. Tooth brushing was significantly associated with gender, nationality, occupation, education, marital status, having kids and dental insurance (p ≤ 0.05). Tobacco consumption was significantly associated with age, occupation, education level, marital status, having children, having bleeding gingivae and halitosis. Effective dental education programs are needed to improve dental knowledge and awareness in the Medina community.

Oral Health Behaviors among Schoolchildren in Western Iran: Determinants and Inequality

Introduction

Little information exists on the status of oral hygiene behavior (OHB) and socioeconomic inequalities in developing countries like Iran. The aim of this study was to assess OHB and its determinants and socioeconomic inequality among schoolchildren in western Iran during 2018.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1,457 students aged 12–15 years living in Kermanshah city, western Iran. We used multistage sampling to select the samples. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect data on OHB, sociodemographic characteristics, and economic status of the households of students. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between OHB and its determinants. We used the relative concentration index, normalized (RCIn) and a concentration curve (CC) to examine socioeconomic-related inequality in OHB.

Results

The study indicated that crude and age-adjusted prevalence of good OHB was 14.61% (95% CI 12.89%–16.53%) and 15.17% (95% CI 13.22%–17.35%), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that sex, mother’s education, socioeconomic status, and oral health literacy had a statistically significant positive impact on OHB. RCIn (0.2582, 95% CI0.1770–0.3395) values and the CC indicated that good OHB was more concentrated among the richer children.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that good OHB was less prevalent, signifying that oral health remains a public-health concern in Iran. Effective polices aimed at improving the socioeconomic status of households and mother’s education can contribute positively and to the prevention of oral disorders among schoolchildren.

Relationship between oral hygiene knowledge, source of oral hygiene knowledge and oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students: A prospective cohort study

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether oral hygiene knowledge, and the source of that knowledge, affect oral hygiene behavior in university students in Japan. An oral exam and questionnaire survey developed to evaluate oral hygiene knowledge, the source of that knowledge, and oral hygiene behavior, such as the frequency of tooth brushing and regular dental checkups and the use of dental floss, was conducted on university student volunteers. In total, 310 students with poor tooth brushing behavior (frequency of tooth brushing per day [≤ once]), 1,963 who did not use dental floss, and 1,882 who did not receive regular dental checkup during the past year were selected. Among these students, 50, 364, and 343 in each respective category were analyzed in over the 3-year study period (follow-up rates: 16.1%, 18.5%, and 18.2%, respectively). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for oral hygiene behavior were calculated based on oral hygiene knowledge and the source of that knowledge using logistic regression models. The results showed that dental clinics were the most common (> 50%) source of oral hygiene knowledge, and that a more frequent use of dental floss was significantly associated with dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge (OR, 4.11; 95%CI, 1.871-9.029; p < 0.001). In addition, a significant association was seen between dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge and more frequent regular dental checkups (OR, 13.626; 95%CI, 5.971-31.095; p < 0.001). These findings suggest the existence of a relationship between dental clinics being the most common source of oral hygiene knowledge and improved oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students.

Self-Reported Oral Health Attitudes and Behaviors, and Gingival Status of Dental Students

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess self-reported oral health attitudes and behaviors of the Iraqi dental students and compare the variations in these attitudes and behaviors that linked to dental education level and gender.

Materials and Methods

A self-administered questionnaire depended on the English version of the Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI) was prepared, the questionnaire given to 198 dental students.

Results

About 91.4% of the dental students were worried about the teeth colour, and merely minor percentage of them (18.8%) thought it is not crucial to seek dental advice until they acquire a tooth pain; however, 26.3% of the students were disturbed because of their gum colour, and 75.3% of them examined their teeth after brushing. Besides, 72.2% of the students replied that gum disease could not be prevented by tooth brushing only, 60.1% of the students do not give visiting the dentist such concern, and 14.1% of dental students were smokers. The plaque and gingival indices were significantly higher in preclinical students than clinical students.

Conclusion

Iraqi dental students had somewhat good oral health behavior and attitudes; however, extra concentrating is required on the anticipatory and behavioral aspects of oral self-care practices. Female dental students displayed better oral health behavior and attitudes than male colleagues on some issues.

Oral Health Awareness among International Dental and Medical Students at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences: a Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives

To evaluate the self-reported oral health awareness, knowledge and attitude among international dental and medical students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Kaunas, Lithuania).

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among international medical and dental students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in 2016 - 2017. The students were invited to participate in the survey before the beginning of a lecture, and they were informed that participation was voluntary and anonymous. In total, 282 students participated in the study, with a response rate of 92.1%. A self-administered English questionnaire consisting of 25 items with options on a Likert scale (agree, neither agree nor disagree and disagree) about oral health problems and their relation to general health status was used to assess a student’s oral health awareness, attitude and knowledge. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

Overall good, fair and poor oral health awareness was reported by 71.3%, 24.1% and 4.6%, respectively, of the international dental and medical students (P < 0.05). The mean score of oral health awareness was 18.2 (standard deviation [SD 3.27]), showing overall good oral health awareness. Moreover, the international dental students reported higher oral health awareness than medical students (19.14 [SD 3.25] vs 17.44 [SD 3.1]) (P < 0.001). Comparing this mean score by gender, no statistically significant difference was found (18.33 [SD 3.39] vs 18.05 [SD 3.16]) (P = 0.371).

Conclusions

Overall oral health awareness among international dental and medical students was high. Meanwhile, international dental students reported higher oral health awareness than international medical students.

The Effect of Oral Health Promotion Program on Early Dental Decay in Students: a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: The use of different models play a significant role in health education and its promotion. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on early dental decay in elementary students.

Methods: This study was a single-blinded, cluster randomized controlled trial, in which 470 elementary students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades in Saveh, Iran were participated. A demographic questionnaire and a 5-item questionnaire consisting of questions on awareness, attitude, practice, tooth brushing, diet and referring to dentist, were used to data collection. The samples of the intervention (n=234) and control (n=236) groups filled out the questionnaires before intervention (pre-test), immediately after intervention and one month after intervention. The educational intervention based on the TPB was held in three 45-minute sessions. Finally, the data were analyzed, using the SPSS version 13. For analyzing, the Independent t-test, Chi-square, and repeated measures ANOVA were used.

Results: This study showed that there is a significant difference in the mean scores obtained from knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention and behavior among students in the experimental group (immediately after and one month after the intervention) and students in the control group.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that using of TPB, as a framework for providing behavior-led training, can be effective in promoting oral and dental health of students. Nurses as an important member of the treatment team can use the results of this study in school health programs.