Dental Caries and Dietary habits among undergraduate medical students from Palakkad district, Kerala.

Dr Harish Haridas; Dr K S Premlal; Dr Sruthi M V

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Dental Caries and Dietary habits among undergraduate medical students from Palakkad district, Kerala.

Dr Harish Haridas, Dr K S Premlal, Dr Sruthi M V

Abstract :

Dental caries is an infectious microbial disease of multi factorial origin. Intake of junk foods, soft drinks, sweets were increased among young adults and the traditional eating habits were replaced by high calorie diets. Hence the present study was undertaken among undergraduate medical students to find out the prevalence of dental caries and associated dietary habits. A cross– sectional study was done among undergraduate medical students of our institution and total 554 students were included. They were asked to visit dental clinic for dental examination and their dietary habits were recorded using a self administered questionnaire. The dental caries was present among 428 (77.3%) of undergraduate medical students. The dietary habits like intake of weekly soft drinks, sticky food and weekly going out had a statistically significant association with dental caries. This study reveals early intervention of healthy eating habits among medical students.