Abstract
Objectives: Good oral heath not only promotes an individual to look and feel good, it also helps in preserving oral functions. The study was carried out to assess oral health knowledge and practices, attitudes as well as their oral hygiene habits among university students in the UAE. Method: A structured and revised questionnaire was distributed to 300 university students that were randomly sampled from the selected universities of the UAE. The questionnaires were answered anonymously by the students and paper consisted of questions to study and assess the prevalence of oral diseases amongst these students. The answers were then subjected to statistical analysis to determine if there is a significant correlation between oral health knowledge and attitude. Results: Data showed a positive correlation with a Pearson coefficient value of 0.4 given at a positive gradient when plotted as a linear graph. The students had good knowledge on the basic oral health measures but still students had poor oral health practices they brush their teeth once daily and brushed for less than the optimal time of two minutes. Lack of time and cost were reported to be the most common causes that prevented visiting the dental clinic. While some students reported no importance to visit the dentist if there is any pain as the second most common reason. Conclusion: Students had good knowledge on the basic oral health measures but efforts towards spreading proper dental education is very important to minimize and prevent the escalation of oral diseases that may develop due to lack of correct dental knowledge. Oral health education programs should be conducted with reinforcement to close the gap between knowledge and practice.
Highlights
IntroductionIntroduction and Review of LiteratureOral hygiene is the process of protecting the oral cavity and keeping it healthy and clean by various modalities like brushing and flossing in order to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases
Introduction and Review of LiteratureOral hygiene is the process of protecting the oral cavity and keeping it healthy and clean by various modalities like brushing and flossing in order to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases
Students had good knowledge on the basic oral health measures but efforts towards spreading proper dental education is very important to minimize and prevent the escalation of oral diseases that may develop due to lack of correct dental knowledge
Summary
Introduction and Review of LiteratureOral hygiene is the process of protecting the oral cavity and keeping it healthy and clean by various modalities like brushing and flossing in order to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Oral health is just not limited to the teeth being healthy, but means a comprehensive protection of all the structures in the oral cavity. Oral health knowledge related to periodontal and oral diseases has a major role in the treatment and prevention of the disease amongst children, adolescents and adults including university students. Educating adults and university students seems among the means to improve the oral health knowledge and behavior of the nation in future. Our information is limited regarding the knowledge and attitudes about oral diseases and their prevention. Due to a lack of studies about oral health attitudes and behavior among pre-university and university students in the UAE, systematic data are needed for public oral healthcare planning [1,2]
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