Oral Care and Maintenance Habits Among Pharmacy Students

Objective. This study aimed to identify and evaluate oral care habits, awareness, and knowledge of oral dental health among a group of pharmacy students. Methods. An e-questionnaire on oral care habits, awareness, and knowledge was completed by students in a university pharmacy. Results. A total of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of pharmaceutical education 2023-04, Vol.87 (4), p.ajpe9104-ajpe9104, Article ajpe9104
Main Authors: Ozler, Cansu O., Dalgara, Tugba, Sahne, Bilge S., Yegenoglu, Selen, Turgut, Melek D., Baydar, Terken, Tekcicek, Meryem U.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
attitude
Child
Education, Pharmacy
habits
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
knowledge
Oral Health
pharmacy education
Quality of Life
Students, Pharmacy
Toothbrushing - methods
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective. This study aimed to identify and evaluate oral care habits, awareness, and knowledge of oral dental health among a group of pharmacy students. Methods. An e-questionnaire on oral care habits, awareness, and knowledge was completed by students in a university pharmacy. Results. A total of 484 students with a mean (SD) age of 21.4 (1.6) years participated. Of all participants, 9.3% were not regularly brushing their teeth. The percentage of regular fluoridated toothpaste usage was 44.8%. Three in 5 (64.5%) participants had visited a dentist for a complaint. When answering questions on the possible effects of dental plaque accumulation on teeth, the causative factors for dental decay and signs of periodontal disease, the percentages of students who indicated they “did not know” were 16.3%, 4.8%, and 43.2%, respectively. Among participants, 38.7% were unaware of the cariogenic or erosive effects of pediatric syrups or suspensions. Of all the pharmacy students, 32% stated they have been consulted about some issue related to oral health. Conclusion. The oral care habits, awareness, and oral health knowledge of pharmacy students in one program needs to be improved. Improvement of these measures is a multi-layered issue, not limited only to the quality of life but also to increased awareness associated with public health-related issues related to dental care.
ISSN:0002-9459
1553-6467
DOI:10.5688/ajpe9104