Oral hygiene practices among first-year dentistry and medicine students at an ecuadorian university

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62697/rmiie.v5i2.327

Keywords:

Prevention, health, academic stress, anxiety, habits, education

Abstract

The study aimed to compare oral hygiene habits among first-semester Dentistry and Medicine students, assessing the influence of early academic training on the adoption of preventive practices. A quantitative approach with a descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative design was employed, using structured surveys to evaluate knowledge, oral care routines, and perceptions of how university life influenced these habits. Results indicated that Dentistry students demonstrated higher knowledge and more consistent oral hygiene practices, including daily brushing, tongue cleaning, and regular dental visits, whereas Medicine students showed lower adherence, particularly regarding dental floss use and complementary preventive measures. Despite theoretical knowledge, factors such as academic stress and anxiety affected the consistency of healthy habits, and inadequate practices were associated with visible oral health alterations. The study revealed a significant gap between knowledge and behavior in Medicine students and emphasized the importance of strengthening practical educational strategies from the early stages in all health-related programs. These findings provide valuable insight into the need to promote comprehensive oral hygiene habits and to implement early preventive interventions to enhance self-care and oral health prevention in the university context.

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Published

2026-04-01

How to Cite

Villar-Contreras, L. A., Jaime-Lascano, G., Guedez-Mujica, A. G., & Marín-Mora, D. M. (2026). Oral hygiene practices among first-year dentistry and medicine students at an ecuadorian university. Revista Mexicana De Investigación E Intervención Educativa, 5(2), 126–134. https://doi.org/10.62697/rmiie.v5i2.327

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): Innovación educativa y desafíos contemporáneos para la inclusión y el desarrollo integral (abril-junio)

Section

Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2026 Leslie Alexandra Villar-Contreras, Giancarlo Jaime-Lascano, Ana Graciela Guedez-Mujica, Diego Mateo Marín-Mora

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