Self-reported Oral Health Behaviour among Scandinavian and Polish Medical Students Studying in Poland

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the self-reported oral health behaviour of Scandinavian and Polish medical students studying in Poland.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty subjects took part in the questionnaire survey. They were the 4th to 6th year Scandinavian and Polish medical students attending the same medical school. Test-retest reliability demonstrated an accepted level of kappa > 0.50. The questionnaire comprised issues dealing with demographics, dental health behaviour, fluoride tablet recommendation, self-rated oral health, and smoking habit. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test, Fisher's exact test and the multiple logistic regression. A p value<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Gender and nationality statistical differences were observed regarding the frequency of visiting a dentist: more Polish females visited a dentist less than a year ago (p=0.011), the reasons for visiting a dentist - check up, filling (p=0.002; p=0.040); the frequency of tooth brushing was higher among Polish females compared to Polish males and Scandinavian females (p<0.001; p<0.001). Polish males ate sweet snacks significantly more often than Polish females and Scandinavian males (p=0.018; p=0.004). In the logistic regression analysis factors were independently associated with visiting a dentist at least once a year: female gender (OR=2.310; 95% CI 1.381-3.865), Polish nationality (OR=3.833; 95% CI 2.293-6.408). Associations with the female gender were significant for the following dependent variables: visiting a dentist more than a year ago (OR=1.913; 95% CI 1.192-3.070), brushing teeth at least once a day (OR=3.759; 95% CI 1.567-9.017), and use of dental floss (OR=2.249; 95% CI 1.445-3.503). Polish nationality was associated with an increasing rate of brushing teeth for at least 3 minutes (OR=2.435; 95% CI 1.526-3.885), and smoking cigarettes (OR=2.340; 95% CI 1.336-4.098).

Conclusions: Better prognosis for maintaining good oral health was established in the Scandinavian group of students. Polish females took greater care of their teeth than Polish males and the majority of their Scandinavian counterparts.

Keywords: dental education; medical students; oral health behaviour; questionnaire; smoking.