A Comparative Study of Knowledge and Practices about Plaque Control Methods Among Medical and Dental Students of Gandhara University Peshawar

Abstract

Back ground:Plaque control methods are one of the most important tools in promoting and improving oral health of an individual. Plaque can lead to the most prevalent oral diseases that are dental caries and gingivitis2.The available data on prevalence of dental caries show that Pakistan is a low caries country whereasthere is persistently high level of periodontal diseases3. Improvement of oral health by healthcare professional is a vital aspect of preventive dentistry 1.Objectives:The aim of the study was to assess and compare the knowledge and practices of medical and dental students of Gandhara University Peshawar about plaque control methods.Materials and methods:In a cross sectional study a total of 386 students were surveyed by using self administered structured questionnaires which covered student’s knowledge about plaque control methods, dental attendance and smoking. A total of 265 students responded with fully filled questionnaires out of which 121 were filled by medical students and 144 by dental students.Results:Almost 79.8% Dental students knew about plaque out of which 78(54.1%) students thought that iscaused by not cleaning the oral cavity and 65(45.1%) thought that it leads to dental caries. One hundred and thirty nine (96.5%) students clean their teeth out of which 93(64.5%) clean their teeth twice a day with a tooth brush. One hundred and eighteen (81.9%) have visited a dentist before out of which only 49(41.5%) went for regular checkup. Sixteen (11.1%) students smoke.Almost 61.1% Medical students knew about plaque out of which 41(33.8%) students thought that it is caused by not cleaning the oral cavity and 37(30.5%) students thought that it leads to dental caries.One hundred and fourteen (94.2%) students clean their teeth out of which 69(57%) clean their teethtwice a day with a tooth brush. Sixty nine (57%) students have visited a dentist before out of which only 26(37.6%) students went for regular checkup. Twenty nine (23.9%) students smoke.Conclusions:It is concluded that there is a marked difference between the knowledge and practices among themedical and dental students, and there is a need to enhance the knowledge of medical studentregarding dental attendance. Both need more awareness regarding plaque control methods to have a positive role in the oral health education of their patients and the community.Key words: Plaque control, dental attendance, tooth brushing, smoking