Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Oral Health among Undergraduate Medical Students Using Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory HU-DBI

This study focuses on Knowledge, attitude and practice of Oral health among undergraduate medical students using Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory HU-DBI. General health cannot be attained or maintained without oral health. The mouth is regarded as the mirror of the body and the gateway to good health.

Medical students are the future health professionals and are expected to be teachers of hygiene as well as role models of self-care regimens for their patients. This study was conducted by adopting English version of Hiroshima University - Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI). A self-administered questionnaire based on the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU -DBI) was distributed among 421 undergraduate medical students which consisted of 20 dichotomous responses (Agree- Disagree). Data were analyzed. Mean HU-DBI scores among nursing students is 5.62 (Average) which shows students have average attitudes towards oral health. This study did not show any statistical difference between male and female students (p>0.05). Furthermore, second, third and final year students had better oral health attitude and behavior especially towards gingival health, oral hygiene practices and visiting the dentist. Further studies have to be conducted comparing with oral health status and their attitude and behavior related to oral health on larger population.