Evaluation of Periodontal Awareness and Oral Health–Related Attitudes and Behaviors among Nursing Students

Abstract

Aim: Knowledge level, awareness, and oral health–related behaviors of individuals play an important role in the prevention and control of periodontal diseases. In this study, periodontal knowledge and awareness levels of nursing students and their attitudes and behaviors toward oral health were evaluated, and the relationship between oral health behaviors and perceived oral health was investigated.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted among 195 students enrolled in the Nursing Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversty. Data were collected using a structured 47-item questionnaire administered via Google Forms. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, questions assessing periodontal knowledge and awareness, and the Hiroshima University Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI).Results: A total of 93.3% of nursing students reported brushing their teeth two or three times daily. Of the participants, 49.7% rated their oral health as moderate and 41.0% as good. Only 18.5% correctly defined dental plaque, while 50.3% were unaware of the consequences of dental plaque. The mean HU-DBI score was 6.46 ± 1.85. In the multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, each one-point increase in the HU-DBI score was associated with 62% higher odds of reporting a better self-rated oral health category after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.36–1.94, p<0.001).Conclusion: Although nursing students generally demonstrate positive oral health attitudes and behaviors, their level of knowledge regarding the etiology and prevention of periodontal diseases needs improvement. Strengthening periodontal health education within nursing curricula may enhance the effectiveness of preventive health services.