Relationship between oral hygiene, dental anxiety, and oral self-care habits in university students.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/respyn24.3-861Keywords:
Higiene oral, Ansiedad dental, UniversitariosAbstract
Introduction: Dental anxiety can affect oral self-care and be reflected in poor oral hygiene practices, which may contribute to the development of oral diseases. Objective: To analyze the relationship between oral hygiene, oral self-care habits, and dental anxiety among university students. Material and method: A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted among Dentistry and Nutrition students in Monterrey, N.L. A questionnaire was applied to collect sociodemographic data, oral self-care practices, and the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). Oral hygiene was assessed using the O’Leary Plaque Index. Data were analyzed in SPSS v.25 using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: There was a correlation between the O’Leary Index and university program (rho = .403), age (rho = -.162), time since the last dental visit (rho = .129), frequency of toothbrushing (rho = -.169), and flossing (rho = -.257). Dental anxiety was correlated with university program (rho = .321), time since the last dental visit (rho = .190), and frequency of flossing (rho = -.154). Conclusion: The O’Leary Index was associated with: university program, age, time since the last dental visit, frequency of toothbrushing, and use of dental floss. Dental anxiety was associated with: university program, time since the last dental visit, and frequency of dental floss use.
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