ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND CLINICAL PRACTICES REGARDING PERIODONTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS
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Keywords
Pediatric periodontology, dental students, periodontal knowledge, clinical practices, oral health
Abstract
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and clinical practices related to periodontal health in children among undergraduate dental students.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate dental students. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire consisting of three sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge regarding pediatric periodontal health, and clinical practices related to periodontal examination and management in children. Knowledge and practice scores were categorized as poor, fair, and good based on predetermined scoring criteria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations between academic year and knowledge/practice levels were evaluated.
Results: A total of 200 undergraduate dental students participated in the study. Overall, 58.5% of students demonstrated good knowledge regarding periodontal health in children, while 27.0% had fair knowledge and 14.5% had poor knowledge. Good clinical practices were observed in 46.0% of participants, whereas 34.0% and 20.0% showed fair and poor practices, respectively. Final-year students exhibited significantly higher knowledge and better clinical practices compared to preclinical students.
Conclusion: Although undergraduate dental students demonstrated acceptable knowledge regarding pediatric periodontal health, gaps were identified in clinical practices. Early clinical exposure and reinforcement of pediatric periodontal training are recommended to improve practical competencies.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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Raima Bilal
Lecturer Medical Education Women Dental College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Safia Rehmat
Assistant Professor, Periodontology Department, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Pakistan
Muhammad Abdullah Qazi
Assistant Professor and Head of Medical Education, Women Dental College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Mahirah Iqbal
Associate Professor & HOD Periodontology Department, Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar, Pakistan
Maleeha Ijaz
Senior Registrar Paediatric Dentistry, Islamabad Dental Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Ifham Khan Jadoon
Assistant Professor Periodontology, Dental Section, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan
