Use of dental floss by Finnish students

Abstract

In order to elucidate dental care behavior related to interdental cleaning, a group of first-year students were invited to a free dental examination. 186 of the students invited (76%) were examined clinically and roentgenologically. The mean DMFS-index of the students was 22.6 (+/- 12.6). They were also asked about their use of dental floss. 35% of the students reported using dental floss, but only 2% reported daily usage. 45% of the students had been taught how to use dental floss, and 83% of these had been taught by dental personnel. Teaching had no effect on the reported frequency of use. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of dental plaque and gingivitis between those who used dental floss and those who did not. The subjects were unable to use dental floss on 1 out of every 3 filled proximal surfaces of the first molars. No correlation could be found between dental caries experience and the reported use of dental floss.

The effect of right or left handedness on caries experience and oral hygiene

“…The most important of these are activities requiring manual dexterity, such as brushing and flossing. [9] It was stated that both manual dexterity and motivation are very important in providing oral hygiene. [10–12] It was found that left-handers have better oral condition in several studies, but this finding was not statistically significant.…”

Oral health behaviour and its determinants amongst Iranian dental students1

“…The literature includes some reports on previous studies of dental students' knowledge of and attitude toward preventive dentistry (4,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), as well as studies on OHB (5,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). These studies, however, have revealed that cross-cultural differences exist in oral health attitudes and behaviours amongst future oral health professionals in different countries.…”

Bacteraemia due to dental flossing

“…Further, unlike toothbrushing, the frequency of floss use by adolescents showed only a weak association with social group (Macgregor et al 1998). Eighty three percent of Finnish university students had been given individual instruction on flossing by dental personnel but teaching had no effect on reported floss use (Murtomaa et al 1984). However, in all studies, it should be remembered that the frequency of flossing that is self-reported by individuals is most likely overestimated in order to appear to conform to a socially agreeable habit.…”

“…A survey of 186 Finnish university students revealed that 40% of females and 25% of males reported using dental floss but that only 2% of all students flossed daily (Murtomaa et al 1984). Another survey of about 40,000 11-, 13-and 15-year olds in 11 European countries demonstrated that use of dental floss among this age group was a rare habit (Honkala et al 1990).…”