Assessment of Dental Nutrition Knowledge among Dental Students in Chennai

Introduction: Dentists need to have adequate knowledge regarding diet and nutrition and its effects on oral health. Students should be trained to implement the dental nutrition knowledge, so they provide holistic care for their patients. Yet, not many studies were found to have been conducted among dental students for the assessment of their knowledge regarding diet and nutrition. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge of nutrition among undergraduate dental students and also the association between the knowledge of nutrition based on the year of study. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire consisting 15 questions related to knowledge and attitude toward dental nutrition was distributed to 175 dental undergraduate dental students via online social platform. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Responses were analyzed using Chi-square test based on three groups (3rd-year students, final-year students, and interns). Results: About 49.7% of students were aware that Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and iron deficiency anemia manifest as oral symptoms, and majority of these respondents were interns (P > 0.005). More number of the participants studying in the 3rd- and final-year students (74.2% and 70.4%, respectively) agreed that bulimia and anorexia affect nutritional status and oral health of an individual (P > 0.01). About 20.5% of interns felt that nutrition was not given enough importance during dental education. Conclusion: For most responses, there was no significant difference in the dental nutrition knowledge between the 3rd-year students, final-year students, and interns. However, there is a need to reinforce the education of nutritional counseling to bring about prevention of oral diseases.