Self-care of Oral Health Status and Uses of Interdental Aids among Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice regarding interdental aids among dental students.

The cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered, structured, and pre-validated close ended questionnaire among dental students studying at the College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University, Al Kharj, and alfarabi college of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Total of 752 dental students from 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th year and interns who completed the questionnaire and participated in the study. About 88.2% interns recommend brush, paste, and floss, whereas 52% the 1^st year students recommended brush, paste, floss, and mouthwash. 94.1% interns and maximum percentage of students from 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th year used dental floss for removal of plaque and debris from the interproximal area, whereas 82.4% of the interns brushed their teeth twice daily.

The present study demonstrated the knowledge and practice of interdental aids among dental students. The overall knowledge about the interdental aids, i.e. dental floss was good, but they had less knowledge about the other interdental aids available. The practice regarding the usage of dental floss improved with increasing levels of dental education. Additional comparisons should be conducted to evaluate the oral hygiene and periodontal status of those subjects including dental students and practitioners using toothbrush alone, interdental aids and a combination of toothbrush along with the interdental aids.