Perceived oral health status and treatment needs of dental students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine the oral health status, anxiety levels, and perceived dental treatment needs of dental students in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of students from Kalka Dental College, India, was conducted using self-administered questionnaire to obtain information on demography, self-reported oral health status, knowledge of the impact of oral health on daily life activity, anxiety levels, dental attendance, and perceived dental needs. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of respondents rated their oral health as good and almost all (99%) agreed that oral health is a part of general health. Out of 80.1% who had previous dental treatment, scaling and polishing accounted for 16%, whereas 19% had their orthodontic treatment done. At present, their perceived dental treatment needs range from scaling and polishing (36.98%) and fillings (29.79%) to orthodontic treatment (33.2%). Forty-six percent of patients reported a feeling of anxiety while visiting a dentist. CONCLUSION: This survey revealed that most of the students are aware that oral health is a component of general health and that it has an impact on an individual's daily life. More than half of the students perceived their oral health as good, but only a few knew that there is a need for a preventive approach to oral health as evident by the percentage that perceived scaling and polishing as a treatment need.