Attitude, knowledge and awareness towards oral hygiene among dental students and associated groups of institution during COVID-19”- An original research

Abstract

Objective: The improvement of both one's oral and general health depends in large part on one's knowledge of oral health. The primary goal of the Indian dental health profession is to increase knowledge and public awareness of oral hygiene practices. The goal of the study is to understand how dentistry students and related individuals feel about maintaining their oral health in the current COVID environment. Methodology: A total of 460 dental students and 46 associated groups of VDC participated in this cross-sectional survey. The mean age was 21 years, with 91 men (19.3%) and 369 women (80.7%). Questionnaire of 12 were prepared by the author on attitude, knowledge & practice regarding oral health & COVID-19and distributed to obtain information from the participants through Google forms. Results: Both the student body and the institute's affiliated groups have a responsible approach regarding oral health and understand its significance during pandemics. Associate members (75%) and first- and fourth-year students (90%), respectively, had the lowest and greatest percentages of respondents to the poll. Statistical significance for the questions on importance of oral hygiene and the requirement for awareness programs were seen with p values 0.007 and 0.028 respectively. There was no statistical significance for knowledge and practice related responses. A level of significance set at 0.005. Conclusion: All of the students and affiliated groups were made to feel safer, healthier, and more responsible thanks to the institution's stringent infection control procedures and orientation programmes about the value of dental hygiene during COVID-19.