DOES INCREASING DENTAL EDUCATION IMPROVE THE ORAL HYGIENE STATUS OF DENTAL STUDENTS?.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Pramod V,
Flat No. 410, Anand Altair Apartments,
Raghuvanahalli, Kanakpura Road,
Bangalore-560062.
E-mail: pramdm@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of increased knowledge acquired by the dental student in preventive aspects of dental education during his curriculum on his own health attitude, oral hygiene and gingival status. METHODS: A total of 240 students pursuing the undergraduate course (B.D.S) at the New Horizon Dental College and Research Institute, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) were recruited for the study and divided into 4 groups based on the year of study. All participants answered a self-administered questionnaire and then this reported oral health behavior was compared to the actual clinical situation using the clinical parameters of Plaque Index, Gingival Index and Oral Hygiene Index simplified. RESULTS: The dental attitude became more positive and improved with each advancing year of education. There was a statistically significant decrease in the CPI score (P=0.04) and OHI-S score (P=0.01) with each advancing year of education but plaque score was insignificant (P=0.06). Females showed better dental care than their male counterparts. CONCLUSION: The oral health attitude and behavior of the dental students improved with increasing level of dental education. Preventive courses providing apt information on proper techniques of plaque control must be included in the first and second year curriculum of the dental students.

KEYWORDS: Oral health attitude, Behavior, Dental students.