Title Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate Knowledge and Attitudes on Oral Hygiene of Romanian Students

Abstract

Background and Objectives: the purpose of this study was to evaluate students’ level of knowledge and attitude towards oral hygiene. Materials and Methods: the evaluation was carried out by a questionnaire, with 30 Q (questions) as follows: demographic data (Q1–Q5), oral hygiene knowledge data (Q6–Q23) and oral hygiene attitude data (Q24–Q30). The study included students from Romanian schools and the selection of the study group was made following selection criteria in accordance with ethical issues. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed and a value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: the study included a number of 718 subjects with a mean age of 14.54 (±2.22), male 250 (34.8%) and female 468 (65.2%), MS (middle school students) 354 (49.4%) and HH (high school students) 364 (50.6%). Most of the subjects 292 (MS = 160; HS = 132) know a toothbrushing technique, p = 0.009, r = 0.091 and 587 (MS = 278; HS = 309) know that brushing removes the bacterial plaque p = 0.027, r = −0.082 but only 147 (MS = 71; HS = 76) know that (by) brushing can re-mineralize hard dental structures. The duration of the toothbrushing is variable, for 2- or 3-min p = 0.058, r = 0.043. Criteria for choosing the toothbrush were based mainly on the indications of the dentist, respectively, for toothpaste on its properties. The frequency of toothbrushing is mainly twice a day 428 (MS = 234; HS = 248), p = 0.079, r = 0.037, 73 (MS = 33; HS = 40) after every meal. p = 0.099, r = 0.095. Mouthwash is used by 421 (MS = 199; HS = 222) p = 0.111, r = −0.048, and 228 (MS = 199; HS = 222) after each brushing. Dental floss is used by 240 (MS = 106; HS = 134), p = 0.031, r = −0.073 and only 74 (MS = 41; HS = 33) after each brushing. Conclusions: there are differences in the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding the determinants of oral hygiene depending on the level of education.

Knowledge and the Attitude on the Use of Mouthwash among Two Selected Senior High Schools in Kumasi

“…The majority of the participants were Christians and Science students. The results were inconsistent with a study by Saveanu [14] revealing that the mean age was 14.6. Out of the 718 participants, 34.8% were males and 65.2% were females.…”

“…This was followed by Charcoal (7.5%), Dental Floss (5.8%), Sponge (2.5%), and Sticks (1.7%) in Table 2. The result findings from the study are in agreement with (Saveanu et al, 2022) which revealed that 60% of students practice the use of mouthwash in addition to the conventional way of maintaining their oral hygiene [14]. However, this finding is inconsistent with the study done in Chandigarh, India by Blaggana et al, (2016) which revealed that only 20% of Secondary School Students use mouthwash [28].…”

“…Saveanu surveyed 718 students for cross-sectional research and discovered that 421 of them (or 60% of the total population) utilized mouthwash [14]. 228 of these students rinsed their mouths with mouthwash after brushing, 139 used when necessary, 42 only in the morning, and 31 only in the evening.…”

Status of Healthy Choices, Attitudes and Health Education of Children and Young People in Romania—A Literature Review

“…Many students have limited knowledge about proper tooth brushing frequency, purpose, and timing. Implementing educational programs is crucial for improving students' understanding and promoting positive attitudes toward oral hygiene [26].…”

Validation of the Romanian Version of the Halitosis Associated Life-Quality Test (HALT) in a Cross-Sectional Study among Young Adults

“…For instance, while a notable percentage of Romanian students are aware of proper toothbrushing techniques and the importance of plaque removal, they exhibit limited knowledge about the remineralization capabilities of brushing [13]. Moreover, their oral hygiene practices vary considerably, with differing attitudes observed based on their level of education [14]. Against this backdrop, the introduction and validation of the Romanian version of the Halitosis Associated Life-Quality Test (HALT) is timely, aiming to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance the understanding and management of halitosis in the Romanian young adult and teenage population.…”