Dental Caries Experience, Oral Health Attitudes, and Behavior among Nursing Students – A Cross-sectional Study in Bangalore

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the dental caries experience and oral health attitudes and behavior of the students of a nursing college in Bangalore. The possible correlation between their self-reported oral health attitudes and behavior and dental caries experience was also explored. Methods: The data on the dental caries experience of the nursing students were collected by clinical examinations according to the World Health Organization methodology and criteria and on self-reported oral health attitudes and behavior, using the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI). Results: The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) and DMFS (Decayed, Missing, Filled Surfaces) scores, which measure dental caries, ranged from 0 to 13 (mean 3.67 ± 3.09) and from 0 to 34 (mean 5.55 ± 5.95), respectively. The untreated dental caries scores (DT and DS) were higher than the treated dental caries scores (FT and FS), denoting a rather low dental treatment rate. The total HU-DBI score ranged from 2 to 11 (mean 6.45 ± 1.98). When relating different DMF values, to the HU-DBI responses, a statistically significant relation was found between five items and DMF scores or their components and indices. Conclusions: The dental caries experience of the nursing students in this study has shown that efforts must be made to encourage the utilization of preventive dental care. This study using the HU-DBI reveals that the dental health attitudes, oral hygiene behavior, and dental attendance among the respondents need to be improved.