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

Nuray Ercan; Bilge Meracı Yıldıran

doi:10.32322/jhsm.1933158

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

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.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.

Ethical Statement

The study was initiated with the approval of the Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical Faculty Clinical Researches Ethics Committee (Date: 07/10/2025, Decision No: 2025/435). Written consent was obtained from the patient participating in this study.

Thanks

none

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dental Public Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nuray Ercan ^*
0000-0002-8161-7269
Türkiye

Bilge Meracı Yıldıran
0000-0001-9848-0927
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 20, 2026

Submission Date

April 18, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1933158

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98KF79BW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ercan, N., & Meracı Yıldıran, B. (2026). Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(4), 944-952. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1933158

AMA

1.Ercan N, Meracı Yıldıran B. Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(4):944-952. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1933158

Chicago

Ercan, Nuray, and Bilge Meracı Yıldıran. 2026. “Perceptions of Oral Hygiene Education Among Dental Students: The Impact of Clinical Experience”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (4): 944-52. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1933158.

EndNote

Ercan N, Meracı Yıldıran B (July 1, 2026) Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 4 944–952.

IEEE

[1]N. Ercan and B. Meracı Yıldıran, “Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 944–952, July 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1933158.

ISNAD

Ercan, Nuray - Meracı Yıldıran, Bilge. “Perceptions of Oral Hygiene Education Among Dental Students: The Impact of Clinical Experience”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/4 (July 1, 2026): 944-952. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1933158.

JAMA

1.Ercan N, Meracı Yıldıran B. Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:944–952.

MLA

Ercan, Nuray, and Bilge Meracı Yıldıran. “Perceptions of Oral Hygiene Education Among Dental Students: The Impact of Clinical Experience”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 4, July 2026, pp. 944-52, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1933158.

Vancouver

1.Nuray Ercan, Bilge Meracı Yıldıran. Perceptions of oral hygiene education among dental students: the impact of clinical experience. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Jul. 1;9(4):944-52. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1933158