Oral Health on University Students in Taiwan and Japan

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide a comparison between Taiwanese and Japanese university students on oral health conditions. Methods: Students at the age of 18 to 25 years in four universities (2 for each country) were surveyed (674 (M 371, F 303) in Taiwan and 1,117 (M 506, F 611) in Japan). One national university and one private university from each country were chosen. Social images of general and oral health were investigated using a questionnaire for all students. Oral health conditions were examined by dentists for each of those private university students. Results: 1) There were 20% of Japanese university students answered “Excellent” about general health in comparison with 5 to 10% of Taiwanese counterpart. 2) On DMFT, Taiwanese university students were 5.9 in male, 8.0 in female in comparison with 4.8 in male and 5.0 in female among Japanese counterpart. 3) On DMFT indices of first permanent molar, Taiwanese university students were 2.3 in male, 2.9 in female in comparison with 2.1 in male and 2.3 in female among Japanese counterpart. 4)The proportion of Taiwanese university students who had lost at least one first permanent molar was higher than Japanese counterpart (adjusted odds ratio＝13.1 and 95% confidence interval: 3.9- 44.3 ). 5) The proportion of Taiwanese university students who had gum swelling was higher than Japanese counterpart (adjusted odds ratio＝5.3 and 95% confidence interval: 4.1-6.7). Conclusion: This study showed Taiwanese university students were generally less confidence in their general health; more in gum swelling and earlier first molar loss in comparison with their Japanese counterpart. It is therefore concluded that there are some different between Taiwanese and Japanese university students in their social image of general health and oral health conditions.