Comparison of Oral Hygiene Attitudes, Awareness and Periodontal Parameters of Undergraduate Dental Students

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to compare the differences in self-reported oral health attitudes and clinical measurements between dental students who enrolled in or not enrolled in periodontology course in Turkey. Material and Methods: A total of 701 students were included in the study. Students asked 26 questions including age, gender, smoking, oral hygiene habits and self-assessment measures for periodontal status. Probing depth (PD) clinical attachment level (CAL), presence of bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) measurements performed. The Chi-square test was used for categorical data and one way Anova post hoc Tukey test for ordinal level data. Results: There were no differences between grades in term of PD and CAL (p>0.05). Statistically significant difference was in BOP value between 1st and 5th grade (p<0.05). PI values of 1st grade were statistically higher than 3rd, 4th and 5th grades (p<0.05).  GI of 1st grade was statistically higher than 4th and 5th grades (p<0.05). GI of 2nd grade was statistically higher than 3rd, 4th and 5th grades (p<0.05). Tooth brushing was not different between grades (p>0.05). Interdental care ratios in grades significantly differ from each other (p<0.05). According to students, they did not have any kind of periodontal disease with high percentages above 88%.  4th and 5th grades had periodontal treatment comparing the other grades (p<0.05). Conclusion: Starting to take periodontology course in dental faculties from the first year and constitute a periodontal disease prevention program will be beneficial to students in Turkey.