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. 2010 Aug 12:5.
doi: 10.3402/ljm.v5i0.5208.

Tooth brushing, tongue cleaning and snacking behaviour of dental technology and therapist students

Clement C Azodo  1 , Adebola O Ehizele, Agnes Umoh, Patrick I Ojehanon, Osagie Akhionbare, Robinson Okechukwu, Lawrence Igbinosa
Affiliations

Tooth brushing, tongue cleaning and snacking behaviour of dental technology and therapist students

Clement C Azodo et al. Libyan J Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine the tooth brushing, tongue cleaning and snacking behaviour of dental technology and therapist students.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of students of Federal School of Dental Therapy and Technology Enugu, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on demography, frequency, duration and technique of tooth brushing and tongue cleaning as well as information on consumption of snacks.

Results: A total of 242 students responded. Dental technology students made up 52.5% of the respondents and dental therapist in training made up 47.5%. Majority (63.2%) of the respondents considered the strength of tooth brush when purchasing a tooth brush and 78.9% use tooth brushes with medium strength. Seven-tenth (71.9%) of the respondents brush their teeth twice daily and 52.1% brush for 3-5 minutes. About one-third (30.2%) brush their teeth in front of a mirror. Chewing stick was used by 51.7% of respondents in addition to the use of tooth brush. Tongue cleaning was done by 94.2% with only 9.5% using a tongue cleaner. Only 20.2% reported regular snacks consumption. Nine-tenth (90.4%) of respondents were previously involved in educating others, apart from their colleagues, on tooth brushing.

Conclusion: This survey revealed that most of the dental therapy and technology students had satisfactory tooth-brushing behaviour. The zeal to educate others about proper tooth brushing revealed in this study suggests that the students may be helpful in oral health promotion.

Keywords: Nigeria; dental auxiliary students; snacking behaviour; tongue cleaning; toothbrushing.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Frequency of snacking.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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