Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2016.55.04.15

Knowledge, attitudes and habits regarding oral health in first- and final-year dental students

Mia Lujo ; Sixth-year dental student, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Meštrović ; Sixth-year dental student, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Ivanišević Malčić ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Karlović orcid.org/0000-0001-9654-6742 ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Jurica Matijević orcid.org/0000-0001-9519-524X ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Silvana Jukić orcid.org/0000-0002-2305-4082 ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to compare oral health behavior and plaque indices between Croatian first-year and final-year dental students. Therefore, 46.9% of first-year and 47% of final-year dental students were surveyed using the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI) questionnaire and had their plaque indices determined. Descriptive statistics analysis, nonparametric tests, and correlation analysis were performed (p<0.05). Sixth-year students had a significantly better mean HU-DBI score (8.06) than first-year students (6.45). Significantly more first-year students thought that they could not help having false teeth at their old age (p=0.007), had never been taught professionally how to brush (p=0.019), and used a toothbrush with hard bristles (p=0.001). Significantly more final-year students brushed each of their teeth carefully (p=0.008), thought they could clean their teeth well without using tooth paste (p=0.000), used a dye to see how clean their teeth were (p=0.002), and had their dentist telling them they brushed very well (p=0.028). Plaque index values were significantly lower (p<0.05) among first-year (7.94±0.72) than among final-year (9.13±0.77) students. With advancement in dental training, oral health attitudes improved, but the level of dental students' oral hygiene decreased.

Keywords

Students, dental; Oral health; Surveys and questionnaires; Dental plaque index

Hrčak ID:

178103

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/178103

Publication date:

15.12.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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