Knowledge and Oral Hygiene Practices among Students of a Dental College in North Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study

Autor: Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, Fathimat Rishana Samreena, Arsha Nishana Rishi, Anjana G
Rok vydání: 2023
Zdroj: RGUHS Journal of Dental Sciences. 15
ISSN: 0976-9439
Popis: Background Dental students have important role to play in oral health education and its promotion. However their awareness practice and behavior towards oral health must be adequate and precise if they wish to serve as role models.Aim To determine oral hygiene awareness practice and behavior among students of a dental institute in North Kerala.Methods An online survey was conducted to elicit responses for a 12-item closed ended questionnaire. Responses were obtained regarding their self-care oral health related knowledge and practices. Data were also obtained on age gender criteria for selecting toothbrushes and their forgetfulness to brush their teeth. The data were analyzed for descriptive statistics.Results One hundred and forty-six students participated in the survey. Fifty nine percent of respondents brushed their teeth twice a day 54.8 percent brushed for ge 2 minutes 32 percent replaced their toothbrush after fraying of bristles and about 35 percent replaced their toothbrush after a brief illness. Only 8.2 percent used dental floss and 2.7 percent used a tongue cleaner. More than 70 percent knew that their toothpaste was fluoridated however none were aware of the fluoride compound present in their toothpaste. Design of the bristles was important criteria in selecting toothbrush and about 33 percent had reportedly forgotten to brush their teeth in the morning at least once in the past one month.Conclusion More than 50 percent of respondents were following proper self-care oral health practices except the frequency of changing toothbrush and use of other oral hygiene aids. No one knew the fluoride compound present in their toothpaste and the frequency of routine dental visits as per recommendation once in 6 months was being followed by less than 25 percent of the participants.
Databáze: OpenAIRE