Oral Hygiene of Both Genders among Medical and Technical Institute Students in Erbil City (A Comparative Study)

Background: Different oral hygiene aids are important in influencing patient’s ability caring of their teeth. Thus, this study aimed comparing oral hygiene among male and female students at Medical Technical Institute (MTI) and Technical Institute (TI) in Erbil city. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among institute students. A total of 800 students (400 MTI: 240 males, 196 female), (400 TI: 209 males, 191 female) were individually asked requested information related to oral hygiene such as: tooth-brushing frequency, tooth-brushing technique, tongue brush, dental floss and toothpick. Results: Concerning tooth-brushing frequency once/day male TI students showed highly significant difference (49.7%) at {p-value = 0.003} level more than male MTI students (36.7%) at {p-value= 0.003} level, for twice/day brushing frequency there was no statistical significant difference for both groups. Concerning gender: female of both groups MTI and TI students reported higher percentages concerning brushing frequency, tongue brush and dental floss than male. Female MTI (96.4%, 51%, 58%) at {p = 0.03, 0.009, 0.01} level more than male MTI (84.3%, 25.5%, 28%), female TI students showed (96.4%, 34.03%, 40.8%) at {p-value = 0.003, 0.08, 0.00} level than male TI (89.95%, 27.75%, 24.8%). In contrast to tooth- pick aid was more popular among male students of both groups (MTI 51%, TI 52.15%) at {p = 0.001, 0.00} level, also for vertical brushing technique male of both groups showed higher percentage more than female (MTI 55.4%, TI 47.84%) at {p = 0.06} level, finally for brushing time total male TI students brushed more than 2 minutes (43.5%) than MTI students (42%) at {p = 0.33} level. Conclusion: The finding of this study had shown that both groups showed good oral hygiene, female of MTI and TI reported higher percentages than male regarding brushing frequency, tongue brush and dental floss in contrast to male of both groups applying vertical brushing technique and toothpick showed higher percentages than female of both groups. Brushing time more than 2 minutes was more prevalent among TI students, unlike brushing time for 2 minutes was prevalent in MTI students