A survey of oral health status, subjective oral symptoms and oral health behaviors among first-year dental students at a Japanese university
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- Suzuki Hitomi
- Department of Oral Health Care Education, Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Sugimoto Kumiko
- Department of Oral Health Care Education, Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Kubota-Miyazawa Ayako
- Department of Oral Health Care Education, Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Noritake Kanako
- Oral Diagnosis and General Dentistry, Dental Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Umemori Sachi
- Oral Diagnosis and General Dentistry, Dental Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Araki Kouji
- Oral Diagnosis and General Dentistry, Dental Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Adachi Naoko
- Department of Preventive Oral Health Care Sciences, Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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- Otsuka Hiromi
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Meikai University
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- Yoshida Naomi
- Department of Oral Health Care Education, Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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Abstract
<p>Purpose: The rapid deterioration of oral health in young adults is an alarming problem in Japan. The aim of the present study is to investigate the oral health status, subjective oral symptoms and oral health behaviors of dental students.</p><p>Methods: Participants were 108 first-year students attending dental school in 2018-2019. Oral examinations were performed to assess dental caries indices, oral hygiene status, gingival bleeding on probing (BOP) and pocket depth. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess subjective oral symptoms and oral health behaviors.</p><p>Results: The prevalence of decayed teeth (DT) and gingivitis (BOP ≥ 10%) were 43.5% and 50.0%, respectively. Having DT and gingivitis were significantly associated with poorer oral hygiene. No association was observed between DT and subjective symptoms. Having gingivitis was significantly associated with xerostomia, mouth-breathing and less use of interdental cleaning tools. Multiple logistic regression analysis for gingivitis yielded an odds ratio of 1.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.67) for plaque score, and 2.75 (1.27-5.98) for xerostomia.</p><p>Conclusion: Since a relatively high ratio of students had DT and gingivitis without clear subjective symptoms, they require regular dental visits for early treatment and oral hygiene maintenance from the start of their time at university.</p>
Journal
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- Journal of Oral Science
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Journal of Oral Science 64 (1), 85-90, 2022
Nihon University School of Dentistry