Abstract
ABSTRACT Objetive To evaluate whether the area of study of undergraduate students influences oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices, in addition to the use of dental services, self-reported oral morbidity, self-perception and impacts of oral health. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed, with a probabilistic sample of 681 students from the second semester of a Higher Education Institution, who were allocated into Health (H; n = 347) and Non-Health (NH; n = 334) groups, and answered a questionnaire encompassing their sociodemographic profile and aspects of oral health. Data were analyzed by Fisher’s Chi-Square/Exact Test (α = 5%). Results The majority of students were female (H = 70.0%, NH = 56.9%, p = 0.0004), single (H = 82.7%, NH = 76.0%, p = 0.0429) and did not work (H = 30.5%, NH = 37.7%, p = 0.0482). The groups differed in terms of receiving oral health guidelines from the media (H = 19.9%, NH = 13.8%, p = 0.0333) or from other health professionals (H = 25.6%, NH = 13.2%, p <0.0001). Regarding the reasons for their most recent dental appointment, in the Health group “treatment” (42.9%) and “pain” (6.9%) prevailed, while for the Non-Health group “review, prevention or check-up” (41, 9%) and “extraction” (8.1%) (p = 0.0169) were the most prevalent. The Health group was more satisfied with their oral health, with less frequent reports of a self-perception of bad breath (H = 30.3%, NH = 38.3%, p = 0.0483). There was no association between self-perception and impacts on oral health (p> 0.05). Conclusions The groups differed regarding the source of information on oral health, the reason for seeking and type of treatment, and the self-perception of bad breath, with the Health group reporting greater satisfaction with their oral health.
Highlights
University students are considered a vulnerable group for oral pathologies, with greater treatment needs, due to a lack of oral health education, fear of dental procedures and the adoption of habits that negatively affect the oral tissues, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and a high intake of sugar and soft drinks [1,2,3]
Studies with university students allow the evaluation of the relationship between a higher level of education and attitudes and habits, which should be used to benefit both the individual and the progress of the society in which they will be professionally inserted, in addition to supporting changes that eliminate failings that may occur during training
Due to difficulties in accessing dental services in some regions, people often try to resolve their oral problems with the help other health professionals, while it is observed that the media, with its penetrative power in Brazilian society, provides an educational function, placed in the background by some dentists who prioritize the mechanistic and technical character of the profession [5]
Summary
University students are considered a vulnerable group for oral pathologies, with greater treatment needs, due to a lack of oral health education, fear of dental procedures and the adoption of habits that negatively affect the oral tissues, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and a high intake of sugar and soft drinks [1,2,3]. Studies that assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, behavior and self-perception of university students in relation to their oral health have found greater levels of knowledge and positive habits among women, students from public institutions, and those taking courses in the area of health, especially dentistry [3,4,5,6,7,8]. Have identified limited oral hygiene practices among students from the areas of health, the humanities and the sciences, with such individuals reporting dissatisfaction with their mouths and teeth, and seeking dental care only in case of severe pain or discomfort [9,10,11]. Identifying the influence of the area of study on these variables enables the needs of students, especially from areas other than health, to be evaluated, supporting strategies aimed at disease prevention and health promotion [1,9,10]. It is important to evaluate hygiene habits among students of health-related subjects, as these individuals are the medical professionals of the future, and will directly influence their patients either through the guidance they provide or as models to be followed [12]
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