Assessment of knowledge, awareness and practice of interdental dental aids as an adjunct oral hygiene tool among dental professional students

Background: Daily oral hygiene is must for overall good health. The Dental professionals play vital role in maintaining a good and sound oral health. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of inter dental aids among dental students. Methodology: Undergraduate and postgraduate students (351) of private dental college were included by simple random sampling method. Demographic information, knowledge and attitude about inter-dental aids were collected using specially designed pre tested questionnaire. Result: Statistical analysis was done. Chi square test was used for comparison between groups in relation to use knowledge about interdental aids. P value of < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. 78.6% of students had knowledge regarding interdental aids. Clinical students had good knowledge regarding interdental aids compared to pre-clinical students. 143 students practice interdental aids. Conclusion: There was a gradual increase in the knowledge as well as usage of interdental aids with progression from preclinical to clinical education. A disparity has noted between the prevalent knowledge and its application in daily life has been noticed.