Assessing college students' interest in university-based oral health information and services

J Am Coll Health. 2023 Jan;71(1):5-9. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1876706. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Abstract

Objective: To assess US college students' (1) oral health behaviors and (2) interest in university-based oral health information and services. Participants: Students at a large public university in the southeast participated in the survey (n = 102). All participants were over the age of 18 and able to speak and read English. Methods:An online quantitative survey was administered to collect information on oral health behaviors, interest in university-based oral health information and services, and sociodemographic factors. Frequencies, descriptive statistics, and bivariate analyses were utilized for this study. Results: Approximately 11% of students rated their oral health as fair/poor and 27% currently had a dental problem. Over half (53%) were interested in receiving oral health information from the university, 87% felt campus-based dental services were important, and 79% were likely to use campus-based dental services. Conclusions: College students may benefit from information and services to promote oral health within the college context.

Keywords: College students; dental; oral health behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Emotions
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Oral Health*
  • Students*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities