Comparative evaluation of dental caries and periodontal conditions and oral health-related quality of life of dental and medical students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the dental caries and periodontal health status of dental (DS) and medical students (MS) and to evaluate their quality of life related to oral health using the Oral Health Impact Profile–14 (OHIP-14) scale. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study included a total of 400 systemically healthy volunteers from 1st-5th year DS (n = 200) and MS (n = 200) students of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University. Participants’ body mass index was recorded; clinical dental (decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT)) and periodontal parameters (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing index (BOP), and probing pocket depth (PPD)) were measured. Oral Health–Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was assessed using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the two faculties across all academic years (1st–5th year) and evaluate the associations between variables. Additionally, adjusted multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the independent effect of academic year on oral health parameters while controlling for gender and body mass index. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: In DS, the PI, GI, BOP, and PPD parameters were found to be significantly lower than in MS (p < 0.05). In intra-faculty comparisons, DS generally showed a positive trend in dental, periodontal, and OHRQoL as their class level increased, while the opposite was observed in MS. In inter-faculty comparisons at each class level, significant differences were obtained at all parameters in all classes except the first year (p < 0.05). Class level was determined to be an associated factor for all oral health parameters in students of both faculties. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed that, unlike DS, lower levels were observed in dental and periodontal health status and OHRQoL were observed in MS as their class level increased. In this context, including topics related to oral health awareness and daily care habits in MS curricula could be beneficial.