An assessment of oral self-care in the student population of a Turkish university

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the oral health behavior of Turkish non-dental university students. Study design and methods: A sample of 610 non-dental university students attending the University of Ondokuz Mayis in Samsun were randomly selected from the whole student population (n = 12604) via the random number method. The students were asked to fill out a standardized self-completion questionnaire about daily frequency of toothbrushing, kind of toothbrush, frequency of toothbrush replacement, frequency of dental flossing, use of antibacterial rinse, or any other oral hygiene aid, receiving of oral hygiene instruction and frequency of oral checkup. The data were analysed using the SPSS version 12.0.1 statistical software package. Results: Sixty-eight per cent of the students brushed their teeth two or more times per day. Two or more times a day toothbrushing was more common among females than males (P < 0.001). Few subjects (3%) used dental floss daily. Forty per cent of students used only the toothpick as an interdental oral hygiene device. Thirty per cent of the students visited a dentist for preventive treatment at least once a year. There was no significant difference in regularity of visits to the dentist between females and males (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that self-preventive oral behaviour of the Turkish university student is at a lower level than in industrialized countries. (c) 2006 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.