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Use of miswak versus toothbrushes: oral health beliefs and behaviours among a sample of Jordanian adults
Author(s) -
Tubaishat RS,
Darby ML,
Bauman DB,
Box CE
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of dental hygiene
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.674
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1601-5037
pISSN - 1601-5029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2005.00136.x
Subject(s) - toothbrush , medicine , dentistry , oral hygiene , tooth brushing , oral health , family medicine , brush , electrical engineering , engineering
Objective: This descriptive survey aimed at determining the perceived relationship among miswak, the toothbrush, and toothbrush‐plus‐miswak usage on oral health beliefs and behaviours of Jordanian adults, 18–60 years old, seeking dental care in the city of Irbid, northern Jordan. Methods: Patients ( n = 138) voluntarily completed a self‐designed questionnaire prior to their dental appointments at public and private clinics. Results: Overall, the level of oral health knowledge was low; of 71 people who attempted to define dental plaque, only 26% knew the meaning of dental plaque. While 12% have never been to a dentist, and 12% visit the dentist on a regular basis, the majority (63.2%) of the respondents reported that they visit the dentist only when they have pain. The majority (72%) use the toothbrush, 20.5% use the toothbrush‐plus‐miswak and only 3% use miswak alone. Toothbrush users believe that using the toothbrush‐plus‐miswak is most effective in reducing mouth debris ( χ 2 = 32.069, d.f. = 16, P = 0.01); and level of education is significantly associated with the type of oral cleaning device used ( χ 2 = 25.817, d.f. = 12, P = 0.05). There was no significant difference between toothbrush users and toothbrush‐plus‐miswak users in terms of how they perceive their oral health status. About 19% of the study participants use dental floss, 60.9% use mouth rinses and 8.3% use inter‐dental brushes. Educated people (baccalaureate or associate degrees) tended to use toothbrushes and toothbrush‐plus‐miswak. The toothbrush‐plus‐miswak users are most likely to spend 1–2 min each day cleaning their teeth ( χ 2 = 34.9, d.f. = 20, P = 0.02) than those using other devices. Respondents who use the toothbrush are most likely to visit the dentist when they have pain ( χ 2 = 34.02, d.f. = 12, P = 0.00) than those using other devices. Conclusion: The oral health awareness level among Jordanian adults is poor and needs to be improved. Evidence‐based and community‐based dental health education and a philosophical change from disease‐oriented and pain management care to primary preventive care are highly recommended for the Jordanian population.