Department of Child Dental Health

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Browsing Department of Child Dental Health by Author "Abdulaziz A. Alkheraif"

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    Oral health practices and self-reported adverse effects of E-cigarette use among dental students in 11 countries: an online survey
    (BMC Oral Health., 2022-05) Mohammed Nasser Alhajj; Sadeq Ali Al-Maweri; Morenike O. Folayan; Esam Halboub; Yousef Khader; Ridwaan Omar; Abdullah G. Amran; Ola B. Al-Batayneh; Asja Celebić; Sanja Persic; Humeyra Kocaelli; Firas Suleyman; Abdulaziz A. Alkheraif; Darshan D. Divakar; Abdulbaset A. Mufadhal; Mohammed A. Al-Wesabi; Wadhah A. Alhajj; Mokhtar A. Aldumaini; Saadika Khan; Thiyezen A. Al-Dhelai; Ahmed Shaher Alqahtani; Ali H. Murad; Joseph E. Makzoumé; Shivani Kohli; Tareq A. Ziyad
    Objectives: E-cigarette use has become popular, particularly among the youth. Its use is associated with harmful general and oral health consequences. This survey aimed to assess self-reported oral hygiene practices, oral and general health events, and changes in physiological functions (including physical status, smell, taste, breathing, appetite, etc.) due to E-cigarette use among dental students. Methods: This online, multicounty survey involved undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools across 11 different countries. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, E-cigarette practices, self-reported complaints, and associated physiological changes due to E-cigarette smoking. Data were descriptively presented as frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to assess the potential associations between the study group and sub-groups with the different factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS at P<0.05. Results: Most respondents reported regular brushing of their teeth, whereas only 70% used additional oral hygiene aids. Reported frequencies of complaints ranged from as low as 3.3% for tongue inflammation to as high as 53.3% for headache, with significant differences between E-cigarette users and non-users. Compared to non-smokers, E-cigarette users reported significantly higher prevalence of dry mouth (33.1% vs. 23.4%; P<0.001), black tongue (5.9% vs. 2.8%; P=0.002), and heart palpitation (26.3%% vs. 22.8%; P=0.001). Although two-thirds of the sample reported no change in their physiological functions, E-cigarette users reported significant improvement in their physiological functions compared to never smokers or tobacco users. Conclusion: Dental students showed good oral hygiene practices, but E-cigarette users showed a higher prevalence of health complications.