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ABSTRACT Objetive To evaluate whether the area of study of undergraduate students influences oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices, in addition to the use of dental services, self-reported oral morbidity, self-perception and impacts of oral health. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed, with a probabilistic sample of 681 students from the second semester of a Higher Education Institution, who were allocated into Health (H; n = 347) and Non-Health (NH; n = 334) groups, and answered a questionnaire encompassing their sociodemographic profile and aspects of oral health. Data were analyzed by Fisher’s Chi-Square/Exact Test (α = 5%). Results The majority of students were female (H = 70.0%, NH = 56.9%, p = 0.0004), single (H = 82.7%, NH = 76.0%, p = 0.0429) and did not work (H = 30.5%, NH = 37.7%, p = 0.0482). The groups differed in terms of receiving oral health guidelines from the media (H = 19.9%, NH = 13.8%, p = 0.0333) or from other health professionals (H = 25.6%, NH = 13.2%, p 0.05). Conclusions The groups differed regarding the source of information on oral health, the reason for seeking and type of treatment, and the self-perception of bad breath, with the Health group reporting greater satisfaction with their oral health. |
