The relationship between the oral hygiene practices and the oral hygiene status of students of the bayelsa state college of health technology, Otuogidi, Ogbia – Town

Background: This research was aimed at determining the relationship between the oral hygiene practices and the oral hygiene status of students of the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, Ogbia – Town. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among students of the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology. Data were collected through oral examination and closed-ended questionnaires assessing the oral hygiene practices of students. Results: Students presented mostly with a fair oral hygiene status, with mean Oral Hygiene Status (OHIs) of 1.98+1.20 S.D. Female students have better oral hygiene status than their male counterparts and toothbrush and toothpaste were the most commonly used oral hygiene aids. Regarding the frequency of brushing per day, 199 subjects (63.00%) clean their teeth twice or more than twice daily. Routine visits to the dental clinic was however treated lightly as only 27 subjects (8.4%) visited the dental clinic at least once a year, 47 (14.9%) only visited when they had a dental problem and 240 subjects (76.0%) had never visited the dental clinic. Our study ultimately revealed that oral hygiene status is dependent on the number of times the mouth is cleaned daily as well as the time of the day when the mouth is cleaned. Conclusion: The oral hygiene status of the students of the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology is fair and is dependent on their oral hygiene practices. It was however recommended that oral health education and awareness be improved not just among these students but to all Nigerians and the world at large.