ABSTRACT
Objective·To investigate and analyze periodontal health knowledge and behaviors in medical students and the relationship of these knowledge and behaviors with periodontal health status, and to determine the periodontal health level of this population. Methods·A total of 602 medical students were included in this cross-sectional epidemiological study. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic information, periodontal health-related behaviors and knowledge, experience about themselves, and periodontal health of parents, etc. Meanwhile, periodontal health indices of index teeth were examined, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP), etc. Results·Of 570 subjects aged 16-26 who completed the survey, 79.82% never used dental floss, and 78.25% never underwent periodontal debridement. 50.25% of the index teeth had BOP, and only 0.70% of the subjects had no BOP. 81.05% of the subjects had some degree of periodontal attachment loss. Male students were more susceptible to periodontitis (P=0.027) and gingivitis (P=0.012) than female students. Conclusion·No new risk factors affecting the periodontal health are identified. Regular periodontal cleaning and protection are important for young people to prevent periodontitis.