Assessment of Oral Hygiene Practices of Medical Doctors and Physician Candidates

Aim: Oral diseases are considered a significant public health problem due to their high prevalence. Raising awareness in society about oral hygiene and promoting positive health behaviors are key objectives for oral health educators. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals regarding oral health. Material and Methods: Before the study commenced, informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were collected using a pre-designed and validated questionnaire consisting of 20 questions. Participants' age, gender, professional title, personal oral hygiene habits, and advice provided to patients regarding oral hygiene were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Chi-square and t-tests were applied for statistical comparisons. Results: A total of 406 healthcare professionals participated in the study. Among them, 54.9% were female and 45.1% were male, with a mean age of 25 years. The proportion of medical doctors who visited the dentist for routine check-ups was 11.6%. A statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) was found between the importance of oral hygiene in medical education and the ability to brush correctly, use dental floss properly, and provide guidance to patients seeking oral hygiene advice. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the necessity of incorporating oral and dental health education more extensively in medical school curricula. Enhancing awareness about oral health not only improves personal hygiene practices but also enhances the quality of healthcare services provided to patients.