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

Oral Health Status and Oral Health-Related Behaviours of Hong Kong Students with Vision Impairment

This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to describe dental caries and oral hygiene conditions among visually impaired students in Hong Kong. Students aged 6-21 years from two specialised schools for those with vision impairment were invited. Information on sociodemographic background and oral health-related behaviours was collected through an online parent-reported questionnaire. Dental caries and oral hygiene were assessed using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and the Visible Plaque Index (VPI), respectively. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were conducted to analyse the association between students' background and oral health status. A total of 73 participants were recruited, of whom 57.5% were male. Their mean (SD) age was 12.9 (4.7) years. Their mean DMFT score (SD) was 1.0 (1.8), and 43.8% had caries experience. The mean VPI (SD) was 0.76 (0.30). Their caries experience was significantly associated with their snacking habits (p = 0.013). Male participants had poorer oral hygiene than females (p = 0.048). In summary, dental caries is prevalent among visually impaired students in Hong Kong and their oral hygiene condition is unsatisfactory. Caries experience is significantly associated with snacking frequency, whereas oral hygiene is associated with gender. More specially designed preventive oral health measures should be provided for visually impaired students and their caretakers.

A Comparative Study of Practice, Perception, and Attitude of Undergraduate Healthcare Students towards Toothbrush Selection, Maintenance and Replacement in RAS Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

AIM

Oral hygiene is one of the most significant lifestyle-related determinants of well-being. Health sciences undergraduate students are not only future healthcare providers but also educators of society in maintaining the overall general health. The aim of the study was to assess the practice, perception, and attitude of healthcare students in RAS Al-Khaimah toward toothbrush selection, maintenance, and replacement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing undergraduate students. The data on demography, practice, perception, and attitude was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. It was evaluated using the Chi-square test and Spearman's rho test.

RESULTS

Out of 318 participating students of both genders, medicine (26.4%), dentistry (25.7%), pharmacy (35.8%), and nursing (12.0%) students showed satisfactory practice (51.8%) and perception (77.3%) of toothbrush selection, maintenance, and replacement. A significant difference (p = 0.000) in attitude was observed across the different disciplines.

CONCLUSION

The study group demonstrated a satisfactory level of understanding regarding the selection, maintenance and replacement of toothbrush to ensure oral care and hygiene. Educating the health sciences students during their undergraduate studies with more general health topics such as oral hygiene is of utmost need, and community engagements, interdisciplinary learning approaches and curriculum updates can help to achieve this.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study draws the attention for the inclusion of health-related topics in the curriculum that may impact on community health and education. How to cite this article: Bhongade BA, Ali AA, Makade CS, et al. A Comparative Study of Practice, Perception, and Attitude of Undergraduate Healthcare Students towards Toothbrush Selection, Maintenance and Replacement in RAS Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(12):974-980.

Comparative Assessment of Oral Health Attitudes and Behaviors of First-Time and Previous Dental Patients Undergoing Exodontia Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Private Dental Clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Background

The COVID-19 lockdown affected oral health behaviors. This study aims to assess and compare the oral health attitudes and behaviors of first-time and previous patients undergoing dental extractions during the COVID-19 pandemic at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients aged 18-65 years undergoing dental extractions at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Four hundred and eighty patients were selected using a convenient sampling methodology. A structured, close-ended questionnaire investigated demographic information, tooth extraction attendance, and oral health attitudes and behaviors using 20 items Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HUDBI).

Results

A total of 480 exodontia patients [282 (58.8%) males and 198 (41.2%) females] participated in this study. All patients used a stiff-bristled toothbrush and were concerned about their teeth' color and bad breath. Similarly, all the participants did not feel brushed unless they used strong strokes, and the dentist told them to brush very well. An overall mean HUDBI score of 6.34±1.12 was observed. Patients with a primary education (5.61±0.79), income ≤5000 SAR (6.00±0.92), residing in rural areas (5.84±0.93), and government employees (5.62±0.96) exhibited lower HU-DBI scores compared to their counterparts. The study revealed a significant variation in HUDBI scores across different demographic factors, including education, income, residence, occupation, and reason for extraction (p<0.001). The HUDBI score of first-time attendees to dental extraction (5.88±1.03) was found to be significantly poorer than to those of previous attendees (6.63±1.09), (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Patients who underwent dental extractions at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, during the post-lockdown COVID-19 pandemic exhibited average oral health attitudes and behaviors. Oral health attitudes and behaviors differed by socioeconomic status. Patients undergoing dental extractions for reasons other than dental caries and periodontal diseases and first-time attendees demonstrated poor oral health attitudes and behaviors.

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.

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.

Perspective and practice of root caries management: a multicountry study - Part I

Background:

Every effort needs to be made to better understand the current state of practice and trends relating to root caries management which will be of benefit to dentists universally in the practice of dentistry.

Aim:

This article presents a multicountry questionnaire survey of the current state of practice in the management of root caries among dentists in nine different countries to get a wider range of opinions and perspectives.

Methodology:

A questionnaire related to root surface caries was distributed among practicing dentists in nine different countries, namely the United Kingdom, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brazil, India, Malaysia, and Iraq. Questionnaire responses were analyzed, and the results were compared among groups.

Results:

The results showed statistically significant differences among dentists in most questionnaire aspects. Bleeding is the greatest obstacle facing dentists when restoring root surface lesions. Reported survival rates reflect uncertainty about the material and/or approach of choice in the management of root surface caries.

Conclusion:

This questionnaire survey revealed the current status of management of root surface caries in clinical practice in various countries. Substantial attention is required to bridge the knowledge gap and address the current void of uncertainty as relates to root caries management by providing a common ground for communication between dentists from all around the globe. In all, this work found a degree of consensus at the international level on what appears to work well among the dental practices surveyed and identified several issues with existing approaches that need to be addressed in future studies.