Original scientific paper
Self-Reported Oral Health Attitude and Behaviour of Greek Medical Students
Nikolaos Andreas Chrysanthakopoulos
; Resident in Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, Greece
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess self-reported oral health attitudes and behaviour among a group of Greek medical students and to compare the oral health attitudes and behaviours of preclinical and clinical students of medical school. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire based on the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) was distributed among 720 Medical students at the Medical School in Athens, 18 to 24 years of age. The score of each item of the questionnaire was analysed and then a mean score was calculated for pre-clinically and clinically educated students. Statistical analysis of the questionnaire
items was performed using chi-square test, Mann Whitney U Test and logistic regression analysis model. Results: From a total of 720 medical students, 400 (55.6%) completed the questionnaire, of which 188 were males and 212 females. The HU-DBI score of clinical students (6.03±1.65) was significantly higher (P=<0.001) than that of preclinical students (5.26±1.37). Significantly higher (P=<0.001) percentage of the preclinical students, compared to clinical students, worry about visiting the dentist and having bad breath, put off going to the dentist until they have a toothache; consider that it is impossible to prevent gum disease with tooth brushing alone and have had their dentist tell them that they brush very well. Conclusion: Among medical students in general, the overall knowledge of dental and oral health was not good. However, the oral health behaviour and attitudes of medical students improved with increasing levels of education.
Keywords
Dental Health Surveys; Students, Medical; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Greece
Hrčak ID:
84246
URI
Publication date:
10.7.2012.
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