Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research (SJODR)
Volume-4 | Issue-04 | 222-225
Original Research Article
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Oral Health among First Year Undergraduate Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Centre in Western India
Vaishnav Ramavat R, Chaturvedi M, Panchal M, Ramavat MR, Vegada BN, Andrews L
Published : April 30, 2019
Abstract
According to World health organization (WHO), the oral health is considered as an integral part of the general health of
an individual. In India, oral health care services have limited access in rural as well as urban population with vast
differences in oral health status. The knowledge of oral health in medical graduates has more opportunities to spread in
our rural and urban community. Present study was conducted with an aim to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice of
oral health among first professional under graduate medical students of tertiary care teaching hospital in India. An
observational, descriptive, cross- sectional study was conducted at GMERS medical college, Dharpur, Patan, Gujarat
among first professional medical students. A self-structured, pre validated, close ended questionnaire consists of total 15
multiple choice questions. Out of this total, 6 questions are on knowledge of oral health, 5 questions on attitude of oral
health and 4 questions on practice of oral health was used for this study. A total of 62.16% of first professional students
knew the different techniques for teeth brushing. A total of 8.78 % of students knew about halitosis. A total of 97.97 % of
students believed that brushing teeth in morning and night to keep them healthy. A total of 73.65% of students believed
that using fluoride toothpaste strengthen the teeth. A total of 56.08% of students brush their teeth once daily. A total of
15.45 % of students had visited dentist at least once in a year. There is need of further exposure of dental knowledge
among first professional medical students, so they can serve community in better ways.