Prevalence, Attitude, and Knowledge of College Students at Minnesota State University, Mankato Regarding Oral Piercings

Oral piercing has become increasingly popular among young adults in recent years. This is of concern to dental and medical professionals because of the risks and complications to their health. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, attitude, and knowledge of college students at Minnesota State University, Mankato regarding oral piercings. A questionnaire was offered to college students (n=151) at MSU, M during a one-week period in February 2008. The average student completing the questionnaire was 21 years old, Caucasian, and female. Students from fifteen different majors completed the questionnaire. Twenty-one students either had or previously had an oral piercing (14%). Of those students, most had a tongue piercing (n=14) compared to a lip piercing (n=7), and most students had only one piercing (95%). The average length of time the student had a piercing was three years, and eleven students ( 51 % ) had taken their piercing out. Reasons given for taking the piercing out were unprofessional appearance (n=4), no longer wanted it (n=4), oral complications (n=2), and parents did not like it (n=l). When asked if students thought oral piercings had a negative effect on oral health, 68% of students without a piercing said yes compared to 23% of students with a piercing. Most students without a piercing stated they did not think they would ever get one (96%). Findings in this study suggest the majority of students at MSU,M do not have an oral piercing and do not plan on getting one in the future