Oralnozdravstveno ponašanje, oralnohigijenske navike i stajališta studenata Sveučilišta u Splitu

Aim of the paper: Determining oral health behavior, oral hygiene habits and opinions of the University of Split students, as well as determining the influence of oral hygiene behavior on the general self-esteem of the students. Methods: Six hundred fifty eight students of the University of Split participated in the research, by filling out the anonymous, newly constructed questionnaire about oral hygiene. The questionnaire consisted of 116 initial items of oral health behavior, oral hygiene habits and attitudes. The measuring instrument used in the self-esteem examination was the Rosenberg scale. The remaining variables used in this research were gender, age (expressed in full years of life) and the education of the examinees (expressed as the university of Current Studies). Results: Twelve scales of oral health behavior, oral hygiene habits and attitudes were constructed, consisting of 55 manifest items. The scales had satisfactory measuring characteristics necessary for good quality measuring. More than 70% of the students in Split were satisfied with the appearance of their teeth, but fewer than 60% were satisfied with the color of their teeth. Seventy percent of the students brushed their teeth after every meal, at least three times a day, and never skipped the evening brushing. Seventy percent of the students in Split brushed their teeth for at least three minutes, changed the toothbrush every three months, used fluoride toothpaste and were sure that they knew how to brush teeth in a proper manner. Fifty four percent of the examinees used floss at least once a day. Sixty eight percent of students in Split knew that the plaque should be removed at least twice a year, that bleeding gums were a sign of an inflammation or a gum disease and that the usage of fluoride prevented the development of caries. The sources of information on the oral hygiene were mostly their parents (66%), followed by dental medicine doctors and school (50%). Conclusions: Oral health behavior, oral hygiene habits and attitudes of the students have been determined, as well as the significant influence of oral health on the general self-esteem of the examinees. The scales of oral health behavior, oral hygiene habits and attitudes have been constructed with satisfactory measuring characteristics for good quality measuring. There is a significant difference in oral health behavior, oral hygiene habits and attitudes of the students of the University of Split on the basis of gender, age and specific type of university studies.