Zahra Yazdani

Abstract

Oral health is an important component of public health that affects the quality of life of people. Because people use students as a model of oral health behaviors, students' behavior can have a significant impact on people's knowledge, attitude and health behavior. Therefore, this study compared oral health-related behaviors in a group of non-medical, medical, and dental students. Data collection in this study was used with a questionnaire corresponding to the standard questionnaire to assess the status of oral health of the World Health Organization and similar previous studies. Between October and December 2019, 284 students were surveyed for knowledge, attitude and practice related to oral health. 120 questionnaires in 6 faculties of Shahid Beheshti University and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 100 questionnaires in 5 selected faculties of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and 64 questionnaires were randomly completed by dental school students. Among dental, medical and non-medical students, 46%, 71% and 65% brushed once and less than once a day and 54%, 29%, 29% brushed more than once a day, respectively; 14%, 37% and 53% flossed less than once a day and 86%, 63% and 47% flossed at least once a day; 66%, 86% and 81% referred to the dentist due to non-check-ups and 34%, 14% and 19% periodically; 76% , 76% and 83% at least once a day and 24%, 24% and 17% less than once a day Consumed sugars; 30%, 41% and 36% had seen a dentist less than once in the last 12 months and 70%, 59% and 64% had seen a dentist more than once; 58%, 85% and 84% smoked and 9%, 13% and 14% did not smoke; 80%, 76% and 77% did not smoke hookah and 20%, 24% and 23% smoked hookah. 97%, 95% and 92% did not smoke pipe and 3%, 5% and 8% smoked pipe. Oral health-related behaviors in non-medical students were significantly lower and different from those in medical and dental students, so health policies should provide a good opportunity for all students, especially non-medical students, to achieve a high level of oral health performance.