Prevalence of Myths Related to Dental Health among the Medical and Dental Students of Karachi-Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of myths related to dental health, among medical and dental students of Karachi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at three Medical and Dental colleges of Karachi (Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Ziauddin University and Dow university of Health Sciences) from August 01, 2015 to August 31, 2015.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of close-ended questions on prevalence of myths about oral health was distributed among 300 medical and dental students of three different colleges of Karachi. Students from all levels i.e. from the first year till the final year were questioned. Convenient sampling was done. Students who did not consent to participate in the study were excluded from the study. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.

Results: The prevalence of myths regarding extraction of teeth was found out to be 5.6% and scaling was found out to be 26% .Dental students tend to believe more in these myths as compared to medical students despite their educational background. However, the incidence of belief in dental myths decreases with the increase in the level of education.

Conclusion:  Dental myths are prevalent among all levels of medical and dental students more so among dental students.