Evaluation of the level of oral hygiene and the condition of periodontal tissues in dental interns

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of the level of oral hygiene of interns based on the determination of hygienic indices, as well as a comparison of the obtained data with the results of a previously conducted study. Material and methods. 46 dental interns aged 21 to 25 were examined; of them, 34 are women (74,0%) and 12 are men (26,0%). 71 people took part in the survey. Research results. Among the interns, 37 people (80.4%) have a good/excellent level of hygiene (Php≤0.6). In this group, 30 people (81.1%) follow hygiene rules, 7 people (18,9%) do not always follow them. 34 representatives of this group (91,9%) brush their teeth twice a day, three (8,1%) – after every meal. Half of them (17 people – 45,9%) brush their teeth for three minutes, 9 examinees (24,3%) brush five minutes, 11 (29,7%) spend two minutes on oral hygiene. A satisfactory level of hygiene (Php>0.6) was found in 9 people. Hygiene rules are always followed by 6 interns in this group (66,9%), 3 interns (33,3%) do not always clean their teeth thoroughly. The majority of respondents with a satisfactory level of hygiene (88.9%) brush their teeth twice a day, 1 person (11,1%) – after every meal. 4 people (44,4%) take five minutes to brush their teeth, three of them are undergoing orthodontic treatment; 1 intern (11,1%) noted brushing his teeth for one minute and one for two, 3 people (33,3%) followed the three-minute protocol. No persons with unsatisfactory oral hygiene (Php>1.6) were found. The absence of an inflammatory process in the periodontal tissues (PMA=0) in the examined group was noted in 33 people (71,7%). All representatives of this group use additional hygiene products: floss – 29 examined (87,9%), irrigator – 10 study participants (30,3%). Professional oral hygiene is carried out as needed by about half of the examined in this group – 15 people (45,5%), 12 (36,4%) – twice a year, 6 people (18,2%) – once a year. Mild gingivitis (RMA is 0-30,0%) was found in 13 people (28,3%). In this group of examinees, 2 people (15,4%) do not use floss. 9 people (69,2%) do not use the irrigator. Six examinees (46,2%) conduct professional hygiene twice a year, three (23,1%) – once a year, and 4 interns (30,8%) – as needed. Moderate and severe gingivitis (RMA>30%) was not detected in the interns. Evaluating the Mühlmann index, there was no bleeding in 30 subjects (65,2%). In this group, 26 people (86,7%) use floss, 9 people (30,0%) use an irrigator during oral hygiene. 21 people (70,0%) brush their teeth with the standard method, 7 (23,0%) with the Bass method, while four interns (6,7%) use an electric toothbrush. Bleeding (Muhlemann>0) was detected in 16 interns (34,8%), despite the use of floss (14 people – 87,5%) and even irrigators (5 people – 31,2%). Among the cleaning methods, the majority uses the standard one – 11 people (68,8%), three (18,8%) in this group clean with an electric toothbrush. Conclusions. According to the 2020 study, a good level of hygiene was observed in 17% of students in the 3rd year, while in the 4th and 5th years this figure was 5,0% and 3,0%, respectively. At the time of the examination of the interns ("adult" participants of the 2020 study), the percentage of examinees with excellent and good hygiene coincided and amounted to 80%. In the group with satisfactory oral hygiene, there is a higher percentage of people who irregularly follow hygiene rules; this group also included interns undergoing orthodontic treatment. Unsatisfactory hygiene among dental interns was not found. Among the interns, mild gingivitis was found in 13 people (28,3%), bleeding in 16 people (34,8%). There was no significant relationship between the use of additional hygiene products: floss and irrigators and PMA, Muhlemann indices.