ORAL HEALTH ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS

Received 2024-02-21; Accepted 2024-03-06; Published 2024-03-25

Abstract

Oral health is a component of overall health that has an impact on an individual’s general well-being. It is believed that individuals enrolled in undergraduate health sciences are expected to have a positive attitude and behaviour toward their oral health. This study is conducted to investigate and compare the oral health attitudes and behaviours among undergraduate health sciences students in IIUM Kuantan and to evaluate between preclinical and clinical students on their oral health awareness. A 100 respondents were recruited from each course. A modified online questionnaire assessing attitudes and behaviours towards oral health was used. Results were analysed by descriptive statistics, Kruskal Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney test. Most respondents denied having a smoking habit (95.8%). Half of them brushed their teeth and used dental floss in their daily lives. Dentistry depicted the highest mean score of HU-DBI (17.92). Clinical students showed a significant difference (p = 0.044) and depicted higher scores compared to preclinical students whilst gender showed similar scores. The outcome for oral health attitudes and behaviours among clinical dental students has the greatest score compared to other courses. Comprehensive oral health awareness programs for future health care providers need to be stressed on right from their preclinical years.