Effect of sensitization on Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitude & Practices among the nursing students

Background- Nursing staff isthe connecting link between the doctors and their patients. With profound knowledge of oral hygiene, they can upgrade,enhance and inculcate good oral hygiene practices among their patients, thereby sets thinking and triggers of giving more comprehensive knowledge to the nurses.Hence,we decided to conduct the present study to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices among the nursing students of VidyaShikshakPrasarak Mandal (VSPM) college of Nursing. Materials and Methods – A 22 item pre-validated close ended questionnaire based on knowledge, attitude and practices of oral hygiene were being filled by 425 nursing students following a sensitization lecture was delivered. After a month, the same questionnaire was filled by the same participants. The answers of pre and post sensitization lecture were compared. Result- The response towards use of fluoridated toothpaste had increased to 268(63%) which was initially 170 (40%).The frequency for visiting the dentist had increased to 241( 57%)which was initially to a much lower number,i.e.,75 ( 18%) Conclusion –Sensitization lectures given to the nursing students have proved to be of assistance in upgrading the knowledge of oral hygiene practices to the nursing students to the core. KeyWords- Nursing students, oral hygiene, knowledge, attitude, practices, sensitization.