Oral health knowledge and behavior among undergraduate students in Shandong province

ObjectiveTo investigate oral health knowledge and behaviors among college students in Shandong province and to provide basis for oral health education in college students.MethodsA survey with a self-designed questionnaire was conducted among 1 227 undergraduate students of three grades in two campuses of Shandong University.ResultsAmong the undergraduates,47.9% knew dental plaque could lead to caries and 62.5% knew beneficial effect of fluoride in toothpaste.The results showed that only 61.9% of the undergraduates reported brushing their teeth twice daily or more, 71.5% replacing toothbrush in three months or less,and 11.0% checking their dental health regularly.The levels of oral health know ledge and behavior increased with the grade level.Female students were better than male in oral health know ledge and behavior.Undergraduates in central campus were better than those in other campus in oral health know ledge and behavior.ConclusionThere are differences in oral health know ledge and behavior between students of different backgrounds.We need to establish oral health education programs for the undergraduates of different background to improve their oral health behavior.