[Study of the level of anti-HBS antibodies titer among vaccinated dental students in Damascus university]

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease to which dentists are susceptible. The aim of this study was to determine the level of hepatitis B surface antibodies titer and immunity degree in some of vaccinated students who receive the regular and obligate vaccination in faculty of dentistry-Damascus university and study its relationship with some variables. 91 blood samples were examined by Microparticle enzyme immunoassay [MEIA] to determine the quantity of the HBs antibodies, these obtained levels of antibodies were considered according to their titers as nonreactive, acceptable, good and very good. This study showed that 7.7% of vaccinated students did not respond to vaccination and the levels of antibodies were higher in females [P=0.037], and higher in nonsmoking students [P=0.024] with statistically significant correlation, whereas alcohol consumption, body mass index [BMI] and the interval between the last vaccination dose and the commencement of this study had no statistically significant correlation. Our results concluded that smoking is a risk factor on the immune response towards vaccination. This study highlight the need for doing Anti-HBs test after receive the vaccine and we recommend that Postvaccination test is to be included in routine immunization services of school of dentistry, Damascus university

Attitudes and behavior of dental students in Damascus university toward oral health

Aim of this study: was to determine the difference in oral health attitudes and behavior between male and female dental students at Damascus University[DU]. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire based on a modified version of the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory [HU-DBI] was distributed among 177 dental students: 49% males and 51% females Results: Female students reported brushing their teeth more frequently than male students. Approximately 59% of the male students brushed their teeth more than twice daily compared to 84% of the female students. Also, female students believed in the necessity of using toothpaste during brushing more often than male students. On the other hand, smoking was much more frequent among males than among females [31% vs. 1%]. This survey shows male and female students visit the dentist only when they have dental pain, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In general the present study showed dental students in DU had poor oral health. Further research is needed to examine the students clinically for periodontal and caries conditions. Students should be encouraged to be a model for oral health for their families, friends, and patients. Keywords: Gender, oral health behavior, dental students, Damascus

Level of oral health knowledge among a group of damascus university students

Periodontal diseases are considered to be the most prevalent disease among population next to dental caries, they differ from other systemic diseases such as depression, cardiac diseases and diabetes in that they have clear causes and depend upon person's daily life style. The health knowledge can play an active role in prevention of oral disease while other diseases have complicating factors that health knowledge alone is insufficient to prevent its occurrence .This study aimed to determine the level of oral health knowledge among of Damascus university students. The sample consisted of 98 students from the faculty of Medicine, Science and the faculty of Engineering. Each student was asked to fill a special questioner. All participants were given full written and verbal information about the purpose of the study and the importance of preventing gingival diseases, Main results showed that : 65.31% knew that dental plaque is the cause of gingival disease, 85.71% agreed to consider bleeding is a symptom of gingival disease, 80.61% agreed about the importance of brushing and flossing in prevention of gingival disease .The statistical study did not find relationship between sex nor class and the level of oral health knowledge, but it finds that the faculty of science students science faculty has the best level of knowledge in relation to causes of gingival disease. This study found that students of Damascus University did not have any additional knowledge of oral health during their study in the university based on these result, an oral health preventive program should be established that will enhance the student's oral health status