Self reported knowledge and practice of inter dental aids among group of dental students, Tumkur, India

Objectives : To evaluate knowledge and practice of inter dental aids among a group of dental students in Tumkur, India. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among dental students using questionnaire. Results: 84.6% dental students brushed their teeth twice daily. 74% students had knowledge regarding inter dental aids where as only 18% of the students practiced it. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among students of different years in the knowledge and practice of inter dental aids. Conclusions: Among dental students, the overall knowledge of inter dental aids was good, even though there were deficits in knowledge in a few areas. The knowledge and practice of inter dental aids improved with increasing levels of education. Clinical Relevance to Interdisciplinary Dentistry Dental health is highly an individualized concept and dental student become a role model for oral health. Most of the studies have shown the oral health behavior of dental students giving importance to routine brushing aids and knowledge. The present study deals with knowledge and practice of interdental aids by dental students and recommends change in dental curriculum mainly subject of Preventive dentistry. Students have to be informed how to use that knowledge in the real life.