Method: In this descriptive study, the data was gathered via a self-administered pre-tested questionnaire in 2008 and 2012. The questionnaires have answered anonymously in the classrooms. Ethical Committee of Hacettepe University approval and verbal consent from the students of Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Health Sciences were obtained. The questionnaire included 61 questions on some socio-demographic characteristics of students, some addictions and oral health related practice. It was aimed to reach all of the students; in 2008, out of 964 students, 853 (88.5%), and in 2012, out of 857, 744 (86.8%) were reached.
Result: Almost one-third of the students were male in both years. Mean age was 18.87±1.17 (2008) and 22.7±1.7 (2012). Regular smoker males were significantly more than females (8.9% vs. 3.5% in 2008 and 18.9% vs. 8.2% in 2012). There was a slight increase in ever dental visit frequencies in males (from 82.8% to 87.2%). Regular dental visit frequency 8.9% for females and 6.8% for males in 2008 (p=0.002), and 9.4% for females, and 8.4% for males in 2012 (p=0.028). In 2008, 68.9% of the students were brushing their teeth at least twice a day, 58.9% at least two minutes. These figures decreased to 63.5% and 57.3% in 2012, respectively. Toothpaste use (from 99.2% to 98.5%) and amount of toothpaste used (from 71.9% to 66.0%) were decreased also.
Conclusion: The oral health practices of the students were lower than expected at the beginning of the university education and has almost not improved after having four years of education in different health related faculties. Effective intervention oral health strategies are needed to improve oral health practices among university students.