Original scientific paper
Comparison of Oral Hygiene Habits of the 4th Year Students of Different Faculties of University of Zagreb
Krešimir Ivo MOSTARČIĆ
; 5th year student, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Simona Šimat
; 5th year student, 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 Krmek-Jukić
; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Undergraduate dental education changes students’s perception of oral health, as well as oral hygiene habits and attitudes. Aim of this study was to compare oral hygiene and oral health habits and attitudes between 4th year students of dental medicine and 4th year students of other faculties of University of Zagreb in order to determine the possible extent and significance of differences. Material and Methods:
Total number of subjects was 151 which included 79 dental students (4th year) and 72 students of other faculties (4th year) of University of Zagreb, of both genders. Modified oral hygiene habits and attitudes questionnaire according to Špalj consisting of 21 questions was used. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS ver. 16.0 software. Results showed difference between two groups, where dental students had better oral hygiene habits and better oral health attitudes compared to their colleagues from other faculties. Dental students were better instructed in brushing techniques, brush more often, use additional means of oral hygiene, have lesser prevalence of gingival bleeding and visit dentist more often then their colleagues
from other faculties. Conclusion: Because of greater awareness of oral health problems and improved knowledge on preventive measures, students of dental medicine could positively contribute to the oral health of their patients and their colleagues by education, but also by their own example as a role – model.
Keywords
Education, Dental, Graduate; Students; Dental Health Surveys; Oral Hygiene, Gingival Hemorrhage
Hrčak ID:
45347
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2009.
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