The evolution of dental health in dental students at the University of Barcelona

The aim of this research was to study the evolution of dental health of dental students during their academic training and to assess the extent to which the knowledge acquired was reflected in their own dental care. A sample of 107 students at the schools of dentistry and medicine (the latter as a comparison group) of the University of Barcelona, Spain, underwent an oral examination and completed a questionnaire during their training in the third and fifth academic years. The oral examinations were limited to the status of teeth. Bitewing radiographs were used for both posterior sectors, and these were interpreted using the criteria proposed by Pitts (1984). The data were analyzed using the SPSS package. At the end of the study, medical students had more teeth present than dental students (29.80 vs. 28.94 [p = 0.022]) and a lower DMFT index of 4.33 vs. 5.91 (p=0.038), with an FT component of 2.44 and 5.23 (p = 0.011), respectively. All dental students underwent more treatment of all types than medical students, and dental health habits and knowledge were superior in dental students. The third year was the key year for decision making with regard to the student's dental health. We conclude that dental students are highly motivated about maintaining their dental health and their dental education experiences appear to have had a clear influence on this behavior.