Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Dental Caries and Oral Hygiene among Medical Students at Janaki Medical College Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Oral health habits are measures people learn and practice regularly in order to maintain good oral health or
prevent oral diseases. The mouth is an integral part of the body, and there are oral manifestations of many systemic
diseases that must be managed in both healthy and medically compromised people. Oral health knowledge is considered
to be an essential requirement for health-related practices. A good quality of life is possible if students maintain their oral
health and become free of oral disease. Dental caries are increasing in developing countries day by day where preventive
programs have not been implemented properly. The level of information on oral health knowledge and practices among
medical students is unidentified and worthy of investigation in Nepal, and this study aimed at assessing the level of
knowledge, attitude and practices on dental caries and oral hygiene among medical students studying at Janaki Medical
College Teaching Hospital, Janakpurdham.
Methods:A standard structured closed-questionnaire was designed and distributed to medical students studying in MBBS
programme to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about dental caries and oral hygiene.
Results: Out of 330 medical students, 145 were male and 185 were female, of which male had the highest knowledge
regarding dental caries which was found to be statistically significant. Most of the students had attitude of visiting once in
year for dental check up. The highest number of students had once per day brushing habit in early morning with fluoride
containing tooth paste.

Conclusions: The present study concluded that the knowledge and practice status of oral hygiene and dental caries among
medical students was found to be satisfactory. More oral health education programs must be conducted for the control of
oral diseases.