Knowledge and Self Perception about Preventive Dentistry among Indonesian Dental Students

Objective: To investigate the knowledge and self-perception of Indonesian dental students in giving oral health education and preventive treatment. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study, with 208 clinical students (54 males and 154 females). Knowledge and self-perception of preventive dentistry was assessed using multiple choice questionneire based on a four-point likert scale written in Indonesia, at Dental Hospital of Hasanuddin University. Assessment of preventive dentistry knowledge on clinical students by answering 14 questions, while self-perception in providing oral health education and preventive treatment was assessed using general questions. Statistical evaluation was done using Chi-squared test and t test. The significance level was set at 5%. The analyses were performed with SPSS 12 statistical package. Results: Both male and female students are reported to have high competence in giving oral health education and preventive treatment (94-99%), but there was no significant difference between genders (p>0.05). Almost all questions were answered by agree or strongly agree. 75% of study participants disagreed with the statement that the use of fluoride toothpaste is more important than the brushing technique for dental caries prevention (PK2, p<0.05). Conclusion: The perceptions of clinical students participating in the study have high competence (94-99%) in providing education and preventive care to their patients, but there is still a lack of prevention knowledge.