Assessment of Professional Oral Hygiene Care Needs Among Adolescents in Southeastern Serbia: A Clinical and Questionnaire-Based Study

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is an important period for the development and consolidation of oral hygiene habits that may continue to influence oral health-related behaviors into adulthood. Inadequate oral hygiene may contribute to impaired gingival health and increased need for professional oral hygiene care. The aim of this study was to assess the need for professional oral hygiene care among adolescents in southeastern Serbia by evaluating their oral hygiene practices, oral hygiene status, and gingival health. Methods: This cross-sectional study included adolescents aged 14–18 years from southeastern Serbia. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing oral hygiene practices, combined with a clinical examination of oral hygiene status using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and gingival health using the Gingival Index (GI). The statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 150 patients met the criteria for this study. The mean OHI-S and GI scores were 1.57 ± 0.87 and 1.80 ± 0.96, respectively. A total of 28.67% of participants reported gum bleeding during toothbrushing. During the 12 months preceding the study, 82% of respondents had received professional oral hygiene care only once. A statistically significant correlation was found between the GI and OHI (rs = 0.769, p < 0.001). OHI values were significantly inversely correlated with both the frequency and duration of oral hygiene (rs = −0.188, p = 0.022 and rs = −0.186, p = 0.023, respectively). Univariate regression analysis identified oral hygiene frequency and gum bleeding as the most significant factor associated with gingivitis. The multivariate model showed that the GI was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.025), brushing twice daily (p = 0.038), gum bleeding (p = 0.003), and brushing technique (p = 0.037). Conclusions: Relatively high GI values were observed and significantly correlated with OHI-S scores, while toothbrushing frequency, gum bleeding, gender, and brushing technique were associated with the GI. These findings suggest a potential role for professional oral hygiene care and oral health education in supporting gingival health among adolescents in southeastern Serbia.