Oral Health Preventive Knowledge and Behaviors in Relation to Caries Status Among Iraqi Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Knowledge and attitudes toward oral health, shaped by personal experiences, social context, family traditions, life events, and health education programs, are fundamental determinants of oral health behaviors. This relationship is mediated by beliefs, values, and skills, whereby individuals with sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes are more likely to engage in effective self-care practices.  Aim This study aims to assess the relationship between dental students' oral health knowledge and behaviors and their caries level. Materials and methods The study subjects in this cross-sectional study were 142 fifth-year dental students attending the College of Dentistry, Wasit University, Kut, Iraq. Their data were gathered using a questionnaire that encompassed oral health-related behaviors and validated questionnaires reported in a previous study. Furthermore, caries experience, including decayed, missing, and filled teeth and surfaces (DMFT/DMFS), was recorded for each subject based on the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended method. The statistical analysis included an independent t-test and bivariate and multivariate Poisson regressions. Results The mean age of the study participants was 23 (±1.41) years. Around half of the dental students had low oral health preventive knowledge, brushed their teeth ≥2 times a day, and visited a dentist within the last six months. The analysis showed that there was an association between higher DMFT mean scores and a low level of oral health knowledge (adjusted RR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.41) and undesirable oral health behaviors, especially among students who did not floss once a day (adjusted RR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.57). Conclusion The findings of this investigation demonstrated the positive effects of oral health knowledge and desirable oral health behaviors on the caries level of dental students.