The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effect on Dental Students’ Attitude and Habits About Oral Hygiene

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 33 Sayı: 1, 21 - 31, 21.03.2026

Özlem Özişçi , Yard. Doç. Dr. H. Cenker Küçükeşmen

https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1736409

https://izlik.org/JA58MP68CG

Öz

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the oral hygiene
behaviors and associated factors, such as COVID-19
infection history, vaccination status, smoking habits,
and gender, among young adults during the COVID-19
pandemic.

Material and Method
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 328
participants aged 18–25 years. Data were collected
through a structured online questionnaire that
included demographic information, smoking behavior,
COVID-19 history, and oral hygiene practices.

Results
Of the participants, 56.4% were female, and the
mean age was 21.74 ± 2.21 years. A majority (87.8%)
reported brushing twice daily, while only 30.5%
changed their toothbrush after a COVID-19 infection.
Smoking was significantly more prevalent among
males (p < 0.001) and was associated with poorer
oral hygiene practices. Dental floss and toothbrush
cover usage were higher among females (p < 0.001
and p = 0.017, respectively). Participants who had
experienced COVID-19 were more likely to adopt postinfection
toothbrush replacement (p < 0.001). Most
participants (76.8%) believed that good oral hygiene
helps reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Conclusion
Although oral hygiene awareness was generally high
among young adults during the pandemic, important
behavioral gaps remain, particularly in post-infection
hygiene practices and among smokers. Gender
differences in hygiene behavior were notable, with
females demonstrating more preventive habits.
Public health strategies should promote targeted oral
health education focusing on infection prevention and
hygiene reinforcement.

Anahtar Kelimeler

COVID-19 , Oral Hygiene , Public health , Smoking , Toothbrushing

Etik Beyan

Ethics committee approval (dated 24.03.2025 and decision number 94/7) from the Non-Invasive Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Suleyman Demirel University, and written informed consent was obtained from the individuals participating in the study. Participants were given the necessary information about the purpose of the research and the scientific evaluation of the data. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent to participate and publish was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Destekleyen Kurum

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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