A Cross-Sectional Study to Compare Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Dental and Medical Students About Toothbrush Maintenance and Use

Toothbrush is an important aid in maintaining oral health. It helps in eliminating dental plaques, food residues, and stains on the tooth surface. It may also play a significant role in disease transmission. Washing toothbrush before and after use, replacing the toothbrush every 3–4 months, and regular tooth brushing twice a day for 2–3 minutes are some of the practices required for maintenance of toothbrush. The present study was done to compare the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical and dental students about toothbrush maintenance and use. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. 385 participants were included in the study after obtaining written informed consent. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions to assess knowledge, attitude and practice. The responses obtained were statistically analyzed. Results: Knowledge of dental students was significantly more than medical students. There was significant difference in the attitude of dental and medical students when asked about various factors which affect toothbrush wear (p value - <0.00001. Majority of the dental (90.3%) and medical students (87.5%) brush their teeth twice a day and 60.6% dental and 54.5% medical students are in the practice of changing their toothbrush every 3 months. Most students are in the practice of washing their toothbrush before and after brushing. About 76% students were of the opinion that disinfection is necessary but only about 46% students disinfect their toothbrushes regularly. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding toothbrush maintenance and use was more in dental students than medical students. Key words: Dental students, medical students, Toothbrush maintenance