Journal of International College of Dentists

Page: 23-27

Background: The attitudes and behaviours of medical undergraduate & postgraduate students regarding their oral health reflect their understanding and perception of interdental cleaning aids in maintaining oral hygiene. Interdental aids are specially designed tools intended to clean the interproximal areas—spaces between the teeth—that are typically inaccessible to a regular toothbrush. These tools play a crucial role in achieving comprehensive oral hygiene and in preventing common dental conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental caries.

Objective: To assess whether increasing dental education improves the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of interdental aids among the dental students of Delhi-NCR.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2025 among dental students in the Delhi-NCR region. A total of 251 medical undergraduate students participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire comprising 20 multiple-choice questions focused on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to interdental aids.

The analysis aimed to assess the association between students’ awareness of interdental cleaning and their oral hygiene practices across different academic years. Of the 251 participants, 153 were female and 98 were male, with an average age range of 20 to 25 years.

Approximately half of the students were aware that interproximal tooth surfaces are the most difficult to clean and cannot be effectively reached with a standard toothbrush. Statistically significant differences were observed across academic years in relation to tongue cleaning habits, the perceived importance of interdental aids, and the difficulties encountered during their use.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the awareness and knowledge regarding interdental aids among the students were generally satisfactory. This survey highlights the crucial role of interdental aids in achieving and maintaining optimal oral hygiene. It underscores the responsibility of dental professionals to not only adhere to recommended oral self-care practices themselves but also to actively educate and encourage their patients about the proper use and benefits of interdental aids.