ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH CARE PRACTICES AMONG HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS AT KMU INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, KURRAM

Abstract

Background: Oral health is observed as an important aspect of physical comfort, functional capacity, and quality of life. Despite this importance, oral disorders continue to be widespread worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped nations where preventative measures and access to dental care are typically restricted. Objectives: This study is primarily designed to assess oral health practices and associated behaviors among students. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research included 276 individuals. A self-modified structured questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics and typical oral hygiene behaviors such as teeth brushing routines, toothbrush replacement, and the usage of dental floss. Results: The results revealed that the majority of participants (59.4%) were female, while 40.6% were male. The bulk of participants (66.3%) were aged 19 to 23. In terms of oral hygiene habits, 47.5% of participants brushed once a day and 46.7% brushed twice a day. More than half of participants (55.4%) claimed to change their toothbrush when the bristles were deformed. For flossing practices, 40.2% of participants occasionally used floss, 26.4% used floss every time, 20.7% used floss often, and a few participants never used floss. Conclusion: From the findings, it is clear that students demonstrate generally acceptable basic oral hygiene practices, although there are a number of preventive practices that are insufficient. To encourage and develop oral hygiene behaviors, it is crucial to enhance preventative dental treatment and oral health education.