Oral health knowledge, perceptions and behaviour among nursing students in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate oral health knowledge, perceptions and behaviour amongst nursing
students in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital on 244 respondents aged 17 to 40 years, using self administered structured questionnaire.
Result: Respondents showed high level of oral health knowledge. Most of them (68.3%), had never visited a dentist
with females accounting for 144 (67.7%) (P > 0.05). About 58.0% of the respondents brushed once a day. Majority,
155 (70.5%), of females perceived their oral health as good as against 14 (58.3%) males.
Conclusion: The respondents had good oral health knowledge, but poor oral health behaviour. Importance of
regular dental visit, frequent tooth brushing, should be stressed.

Keywords: Oral health, knowledge, behaviour, Nursing students, tertiary hospital.

Tanzania Dental Journal Vol. 14 (1) 2007: pp. 26-29