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Journals / Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine / 2026 / Volume: 9 Issue: 4

Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience

Nuray Ercan(BOLU ABANT İZZET BAYSAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, DİŞ HEKİMLİĞİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-8161-7269
Bilge Meracı Yıldıran(BOLU ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY)0000-0001-9848-0927
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Earlier and more systematic integration of OHE, including communication and motivation strategies, may help students incorporate preventive periodontal approaches more consistently into clinical practice.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study aimed to evaluate dental students’ perceptions regarding the provision of oral hygiene education (OHE) to patients and to investigate the association between clinical experience and OHE-related perceptions.
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Key Findings & Data:Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and multiple Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
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Conclusion & Impact:Earlier and more systematic integration of OHE, including communication and motivation strategies, may help students incorporate preventive periodontal approaches more consistently into clinical practice.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Dental students · oral hygiene · preventive dentistry

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate dental students’ perceptions regarding the provision of oral hygiene education (OHE) to patients and to investigate the association between clinical experience and OHE-related perceptions. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey study included fourth and fifth-year students from the Faculty of Dentistry at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to assess demographic characteristics, clinical experience, perceived importance of OHE, self-efficacy in providing OHE, perceived barriers, clinical practice frequency, post-graduation intentions, and the perceived effect of clinical experience on OHE. Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and multiple Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 139 students participated in the study. Significant associations were observed between class level, clinical experience, and selected OHE related perceptions (p<0.05). fifth-year students had greater clinical experience and more positive attitudes toward OHE than fourth-year students. They also showed stronger agreement that patient-specific OHE is an important component of treatment and that OHE is a fundamental step in periodontal therapy. In addition, fifth-year students were less likely to report that OHE should be deprioritized because of clinical grading or workload pressures (p<0.05). Conclusion: Greater clinical experience was associated with more positive perceptions of the importance and clinical prioritization of OHE. These findings suggest that undergraduate dental education should support OHE not only as theoretical knowledge but also as a structured, patient-centered clinical skill. Earlier and more systematic integration of OHE, including communication and motivation strategies, may help students incorporate preventive periodontal approaches more consistently into clinical practice.

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Cite This Article

Ercan, N., Yıldıran, B. M. (2026). Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 9 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1933158

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