Oral Hygiene Practices and Awareness among Pharmacy Students of R. P. Shaha University in Bangladesh: A Retrospective Study

Oral health is a fundamental component of overall well-being, yet it remains a neglected aspect of personal care among many populations. Pharmacy students, as future healthcare providers, are expected to possess both knowledge and personal practices. This retrospective cohort study involved undergraduate pharmacy students from various academic years at R. P. Shaha University in Narayanganj, Bangladesh. Using a structured paper-based questionnaire, the research assessed student’s awareness and practices related to oral hygiene, focusing on their knowledge, behaviors, and influencing factors. A representative sample of students revealed that 65.4% brush their teeth twice daily, with a predominant use of toothpaste (97.44%) over traditional methods like meswak (2.56%). The study reveals a concerning trend, with 82.1% of students neglecting preventive dental care, yet 83.3% are mistakenly satisfied with their oral health. Notably, 25.6% of students reported never having visited a dentist, and only 3.8% sought dental care annually, indicating a reactive rather than proactive approach to oral health. Furthermore, Herbal toothpaste is less favored, with only 24.4% usage, and only 33.3% use mouthwash, highlighting a gap in comprehensive oral hygiene practices. Gender differences were evident, with female students more likely to use mouthwash (38.6%) than male students (19.0%). Findings highlight the need to promote awareness for better oral health.