Oral Health Habits and Attitudes of Final Year Dental Students

Dental education should promote favourable oral health in dental students. Purpose: A cross-sectional study examined oral health habits and attitudes of final year students over a decade. Method: Seven classes of final year dental students (327 of 385 students, 85%) graduating in 1997, 2001-2006 were surveyed by questionnaire addressing habits (35 items) and attitudes (8). Responses were examined by Χ Square trend test (alpha=0.05). Results: Class frequencies were similar for tooth brushing habits: ≥2/day (mean ± SD: 81.3% ± 5.0), use of fluoride toothpaste (100%), taught to brush by dentist (67.3% ± 5.9), used current technique 5-10 yrs (73.3% ± 7.4), considered tooth brushing important in keeping their teeth and gums healthy (strong agreement 86.4% ± 4.6). Per class, 84.7% ± 4.0 flossed; flossing frequency increased (to 1-2/day) over time (Χ=11.88, p<0.001) as did strong agreement that regular flossing added benefit in maintaining healthy teeth and gums (Χ=18.35, p<0.001). Per class, current smokers were 5.4% ± 5.1; 83.7% ± 3.7 strongly agreed smoking could adversely affect their teeth and gums. Over time, frequencies declined for use of mouth rinses (17.6% ± 8.3), tooth sticks (18.4% ± 5.8), sports drinks (16.4% ± 6.2); remaining high for snacking (83.7% ± 4.7), chewing gum (72.4% ± 8.9), dental attendance (94.3% ± 4.1). Over time, fewer students expected to keep most of their teeth for all their life (Χ=15.56, p<0.001); strong agreement increased that healthy teeth and gums reflect a healthy body and that regular dental attendance is important for oral health; agreement decreased that their future restorative needs will be minimal. Attitudes varied widely on importance of straight white teeth. Conclusion: Favorable oral hygiene habits and attitudes were well established in most dental students by final year, supporting their exemplary role to patients. (Support: Colgate Oral Care, Australia)