DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2015.v02i02.009

Pages: 144-148

Abstract: In-order to improve the oral hygiene of general population, dentist are role playing as models to which people can look up to. To evaluate and compare the difference in attitude, awareness and behaviour towards oral health amongst dental students and faculty members of Dental Colleges of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. A descriptive cross-sectional study using English language version of Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) which was modified to 27 questions and was distributed to 2023 participants out of whom 1409 replied. Responses were given in Likert scale. Data was analysed statistically. Higher proportions of pre-clinical students did not visit dentist regularly (42.2%).Almost half of pre-clinical students agreed that they were never taught brushing professionally (45.9%).Regular use of floss was significantly low amongst the participants. Faculty members and post-graduate students agreed more when asked if they were least bothered about the ill effects of smoking and chewing tobacco compared to pre-clinical and clinical year students. In order to be a good role model for general population, there should be an improvement in attitude and behaviour of dental students as well as faculty members towards oral health.