Self-assessment and care of students of the University of Split School of Medicine regarding their own oral health

Ciljevi: Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je ispitati samoprocjenu i brigu studenata Medicinskog fakulteta u Sveučilišta u Splitu o vlastitom oralnom zdravlju te ih usporediti s podatcima iz dostupne literature. Materijali i metode: Istraživanje se provodilo putem anonimnog i dobrovoljnog upitnika među studentima viših godina studija dentalne medicine i studija medicine na Medicinskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Splitu. Podatci od 69 studenata,obrađeni su u programskom paketu STATISTICA 11.0. Za svaku kategorijsku varijablu (pitanje iz upitnika) izračunate su tablice frekvencije za ukupnu populaciju te odvojeno po smjeru i godini studiranja. Podaci su uneseni u Microsoft Excel Office 2019 i statistički obrađeni. Rezultati: Od 69 ispitanika većina su žene (80%), a u gradskom području živi 81,2% ispitanika. Zubobolju je osjećalo 59,4% u prethodnih godinu dana.Svi imaju potpuno zubalo i smatraju stanje svojih zubi i desni vrlo dobrim i izvrsnim( 50,7 % i 24,6 %). Svi koriste zubnu četkicu i pastu za zube, 80% njih zubnu pastu sa fluorom, gdje prednjače studenti dentalne medicine. Dva ili više puta dnevno zube pere 97,1%. Zubni konac koristi 71% .Više od polovice (56,5%) posjećuje stomatologa svako 6 mjeseci ili manje i to kao redoviti pregled (62,3%). Tegoba odgrizanja nikad nije imalo 82,6% kao i otežanog žvakanja (78,3%), niti otežanog govora (92,8%) slično kao ostale tegobe. Studenti su najčešće konzumirali svježe voće nekoliko puta tjedno (43,55%) potom kolače,kremaste kolače, kekse (34,8%). Cigarete i cigare ne konzumira nikad 78,3% i 94,2%. U najvećem postotku (20,3%) konzumira 3 alkoholna pića na mjesec. Svi znaju udaljenost do svog stomatologa i 98,6 % njih su roditelji vodili stomatologu u predškolskoj dobi. Zaključak: Istraživanjem na definiranom uzorku populacije studenata dokazali smo da studenti dentalne medicine više upotrebljavaju pastu za zube s fluorom, češće koriste zubni konac i dodatna sredstva za čišćenje zuba, te bolje ocjenjuju stanje svojih zubi i desni.Isto tako i češće posjećuju svog odabranog stomatologa kroz redovite preglede.Istraživanjem je utvrđeno da su dobiveni podatci velikoj mjeri u skladu s podatcima iz literature o stavovima, znanju, procjeni i navikama studenata na području oralnog zdravlja.Objectives: The aim of this study was to research self-assessment and care of students of the University of Split School of Medicine regarding their own oral health and to compare it with data from the available literature. Materials and methods: The study was conducted using an anonymous and voluntary questionnaire among final year dental and medical students at the University of Split School of Medicine. Data from 69 students were processed using the STATISTICA 11.0 software package. Frequency tables were calculated for each categorical variable (question from the questionnaire) for the total population and separately by field of study and year of study. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel Office 2019 and statistically analysed. Results: Of the 69 respondents, most are women (80%) and 81.2% live in urban areas. In the past year, 59.4% had toothache. All respondents have complete dentition and rate the condition of their teeth and gums as very good and excellent (50.7% and 24.6%). All of them use a toothbrush and toothpaste, 80% of them use toothpaste with fluoride, most of them are dental students. 97.1% brush their teeth two or more times a day, 71% floss and more than half (56.5%) go to the dentist for regular check-ups every 6 months or less (62.3%). Of all, 82.6% never had problems biting down as well as difficulty chewing (78.3%) or speaking (92.8%), similar to other problems. The students most frequently consumed fresh fruit several times a week (43.55%), then cakes, cream pies, biscuits (34.8%). Regarding tobacco consumption, 78.3% and 94.2% never consume cigarettes and cigars. The largest percentage (20.3%) consumes 3 alcoholic drinks per month. Everyone knows where their dentist is and 98.6% of them had a dental check-up when they were pre-school age. Conclusion: This study, conducted on a defined sample of students, found that dental students use more toothpaste with fluoride, floss more often and use other dental cleaning products. They also have a better opinion of the condition of their teeth and gums. Dental students are also more likely to go for regular check-ups with their chosen dentist. The data obtained is largely consistent with what is found in the literature