Profile of first year dental students in Tunisia

• Published in: Eastern Mediterranean health journal Vol. 7; no. 1-2; pp. 52 - 59
• Main Authors: Maatouk, F, El-May, W, Ghedira, H, Fathallah, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: Egypt 01-01-2001
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Career Choice; Dental Health Surveys; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Motivation; Needs Assessment; Oral Health; Parents - education; Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data; Socioeconomic Factors; Students, Dental - psychology; Students, Dental - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tunisia; Tunisia
• ISSN: 1020-3397; 1687-1634
• DOI: 10.26719/2001.7.1-2.52

The aim of this study was to assess social conditions, school history, professional choices and oral health status of first-year dental students 1998/1999. We included 155 Tunisian students, 18-22 years old. There was a higher proportion of female students (58%) whose average age (18.9 years) was younger than the males. We found that 79% came from urban environments and 41% from middle socioeconomic background. Also 48% had parents who had a high level of education. Dental studies were the first choice for 50% of the students and they were looking for prestige and security. Concerning oral heath status, 88% of the students had periodontal problems and 70% had caries. More information for students about the options available to them at university and greater efforts from teachers to motivate students in oral hygiene are needed.