Periodontal Health Awareness and Oral Health Behaviour Among International University for Science and Technology Students

Aim: It is to assess the reflection of knowledge acquired in dental care and to determine the oral health attitudes and behaviour differences among male/ female students at the International University for Science and Technology (IUST). Materials methods: A total of 250 students (125 male and 125 female; 19-24 years old) have been enrolled from all academic years. Information about oral health knowledge and oral health behaviour was gathered via an interview using a structured written questionnaire. Results: Only 33.6% of the students chose to visit a dental clinic to treat gingival bleeding, while only 43.5% visited a dental clinic during the last 12 months. The rate of using tooth brush was higher in females than males (p=0.001), 18.4% of the males used tooth brush less than once per day, compared to 3.2% female (p=0.05). The majority of students (80%) used mouthwash daily (p=0.001); no significant differences have been detected according to gender. On the other hand, smoking was much more frequent among males. Conclusion: The improvement of oral hygiene status was related to dental knowledge, and experience; oral hygiene knowledge can be considered as a risk indicator for gingival disease.