Survey on periodontal health awareness in Dakshina Kannada students.
Journal name: Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
Original article title: A survey about awareness of periodontal health among the students of professional colleges in Dakshina Kannada District
The Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology (JISP) publishes original scientific articles on periodontology (the study of supporting structures of teeth) and oral implantology. It is a bimonthly open-access journal with special issues for specific occasions.
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Original source:
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Mundoor Manjunath Dayakar, Jitendra Kumar, Gurpur Prakash Pai, Hiranya Shivananda, Ramapatali Rekha
Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology:
(A bimonthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: A survey about awareness of periodontal health among the students of professional colleges in Dakshina Kannada District
Year: 2016 | Doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.168487
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study highlights the critical relationship between oral health and overall physical and psychological well-being. Despite being known as an essential aspect of health, the awareness regarding oral hygiene and periodontal diseases among health professionals, particularly medical, Ayurveda, and engineering students, remains inadequate. This research aims to evaluate the levels of oral health knowledge among these student groups in Dakshina Kannada District, stressing the necessity for targeted educational programs to improve understanding and practices related to oral hygiene.
Knowledge Deficits in Oral Hygiene Practices
One of the significant findings of the study revealed a substantial lack of understanding of proper oral hygiene practices among students. Despite brushing being a common cleaning method, many students failed to brush twice daily—55% of medical and engineering students, and 66% of Ayurveda students reported doing so regularly. Additionally, awareness of effective oral hygiene techniques, such as the correct method of brushing and using dental floss, was extremely low, with only 39% of medical students and just 9% across the board reporting knowledge of dental floss. This indicates a broader issue of insufficient educational outreach and implementation of effective oral health practices among future professionals, illustrating a gap that needs urgent attention.
Conclusion
The survey underscores the alarming reality that even educated individuals in professional fields have low levels of oral health awareness and understanding. This inadequacy in knowledge presents a challenging situation, as these students will soon be influencing public health outcomes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for comprehensive educational initiatives that extend beyond academic institutions to foster a more profound understanding of oral health's significance. Enhanced awareness and proper practices are essential for improving the overall oral health landscape in India, highlighting the responsibility of dental faculties and health professionals to champion educational efforts within the community.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the aim of the oral health awareness study?
The study aims to assess oral health awareness and knowledge about periodontal diseases among students from medical, Ayurveda, and engineering colleges to identify gaps in knowledge and promote better oral hygiene practices.
What methods were used to collect data for the study?
Data were collected through a self-constructed 15-item questionnaire distributed to 300 randomly selected students. Statistical methods included Chi-square tests and the Kruskal-Wallis test for analyzing the results.
What were the key findings regarding students' oral hygiene practices?
The results showed that many students had a lack of knowledge about proper oral hygiene practices, with only a small percentage regularly using dental floss or visiting a dentist for checkups.
What conclusions were drawn from the study's results?
The study concluded that the level of oral health awareness among professional students is poor, highlighting the need for comprehensive educational programs to improve knowledge and practices related to oral hygiene.
What was the sample size and demographic of the study participants?
The study involved 300 students, including 32.7% males and 67.3% females, aged 17 to 27 years, from medical, Ayurveda, and engineering colleges in Dakshina Kannada District.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Survey on periodontal health awareness in Dakshina Kannada students.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India, focusing on balance in bodily systems using diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing. In this study, students from Ayurveda colleges were assessed for their awareness and knowledge of periodontal diseases, highlighting the integration of science and traditional practices.
2) Table:
In research papers, tables are used to summarize and present data in an organized manner, facilitating clear comparisons among different groups. The tables in this study provide visual representation of students’ knowledge and practices related to oral hygiene and periodontal diseases across medical, Ayurveda, and engineering colleges.
3) Knowledge:
Knowledge refers to the information, understanding, and skills acquired through experience or education. In this study, assessing students' knowledge on oral health and periodontal diseases is critical, as it forms the basis for health-related behaviors and practices vital for maintaining good oral hygiene in the long term.
4) Disease:
Disease signifies an abnormal condition affecting the body, often leading to impairment of normal functioning. This study specifically looks at periodontal diseases, highlighting the connection between one’s health behaviors regarding oral hygiene and the prevalence and understanding of such diseases among students in different professional fields.
5) Hygiene (Hygienic):
Hygiene involves practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, particularly through cleanliness. The study sheds light on the students' awareness and practices of oral hygiene, emphasizing its critical role in preventing periodontal diseases and improving overall health, thus underlining the need for better educational outreach.
6) Study (Studying):
A study is a systematic investigation aimed at providing insights and understanding of a specific phenomenon. This study analyzes the levels of awareness regarding periodontal health among students from various educational backgrounds, attempting to elucidate significant gaps in knowledge that could affect oral health outcomes.
7) Pur:
The term 'poor' is used to describe inadequate quality or insufficient levels of something. In this study, 'poor' refers to the low levels of oral hygiene knowledge and practices observed among students, indicating a significant concern that warrants attention and improvement through targeted educational programs.
8) Dakshina (Daksina):
Dakshina refers to 'south' in Sanskrit. It often denotes the southern part of India, specifically the Dakshina Kannada district in this study, representing the geographical focus of the research on students from medical, Ayurveda, and engineering colleges located in that region regarding their oral health awareness.
9) Dakshina Kannada:
Dakshina Kannada is a coastal district in the southwestern region of Karnataka, India. The study conducted in this district sought to assess the oral health awareness among students from diverse fields, illustrating regional educational disparities in knowledge related to periodontal diseases and their prevention.
10) Kannada:
Kannada is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Karnataka. Understanding the linguistic and cultural context is essential in the study, as it highlights the regional demographics of the students surveyed and may influence oral health education's effectiveness and communication strategies.
11) Visit:
The term 'visit' often pertains to going to see a person or place. In this study, students' frequency of dental visits serves as an indicator of their proactive health-seeking behavior regarding oral health, which correlates with their overall awareness and understanding of periodontal diseases.
12) Male:
Male denotes the sex of a person or organism, typically associated with certain gender roles and biological characteristics. This study recorded the gender distribution of the participants, analyzing potential differences in oral health awareness and practices between male and female students across the different educational disciplines.
13) Inflammation:
Inflammation is the biological response to harmful stimuli, often associated with pain and swelling. Periodontal diseases involve chronic inflammation of the gums, linking the understanding of oral hygiene to overall systemic health, thus emphasizing the importance of knowledge in preventing and managing such conditions among students.
14) Discussion:
Discussion in academic research refers to a section where findings are interpreted and contextualized within the framework of existing literature. This study's discussion highlights the significant findings regarding oral health awareness among various student groups, facilitating a reflection on the implications of these results for future educational strategies.
15) Education:
Education encompasses the processes of teaching and learning, integral to developing knowledge and skills. This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive educational programs targeted at improving oral health literacy, particularly among medical, Ayurveda, and engineering college students, to enhance their understanding of hygiene practices.
16) Bleeding:
Bleeding in the context of oral health often refers to gingival bleeding, a common sign of periodontal disease. The study assessed students' awareness of the causes, symptoms, and links between poor oral hygiene and bleeding gums, illustrating the necessity for enhanced education on such critical health indicators.
17) Reason:
A reason is an explanation for an event or action. In this study, understanding the reasons behind students' inadequate knowledge of oral hygiene practices and periodontal diseases is crucial for developing targeted educational interventions that address specific gaps in their understanding and promote better health outcomes.
18) India:
India is a South Asian country known for its diverse cultures, languages, and health challenges. The study highlights oral health awareness in Indian students, reflecting broader challenges in health education and access to dental care in the country, emphasizing the need for improved oral health initiatives.
19) Field:
Field refers to a professional area of work or study. In this research, the fields of medicine, Ayurveda, and engineering are examined for their students' awareness and knowledge regarding periodontal health, showcasing the expectation that professionals in these fields should have superior health knowledge and practices.
20) Sah:
Shah refers to a common surname in India. In the context of the study, references to various researchers, including those with this surname, indicate a broader scholarly discourse on oral health awareness and practices, situating the study within a continuum of related academic research in this field.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Survey on periodontal health awareness in Dakshina Kannada students.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Data collection method, Statistical Significance, Systemic disease, Chi square test, Kruskal Wallis test, Oral hygiene practice, Educational program, Oral health awareness, Self-constructed questionnaire, Importance of oral health, Health-related behavior.