Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) faculty members Dr. Ehsanul Hoque Apu, B.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Dr. Nazeeba Siddika, B.D.S, MPH, Ph.D., have recently published a research paper in Dental and Medical Problems journal titled, “Toothbrushing Frequency Among Children and Adolescents in 72 Countries: Findings from the Global School-based Student Health Survey”. The study provides critical insights into the oral hygiene habits of young people worldwide, revealing substantial disparities in toothbrushing frequency across countries, age groups, and socioeconomic contexts. This original study was led by Hoque Apu and Siddika in collaboration with Dr. Rajat Das Gupta from the University of South Carolina, USA.
The research underscores the importance of regular toothbrushing, ideally twice daily, in maintaining oral hygiene and fostering overall health, particularly during the formative years of childhood and adolescence. However, the study finds that many children and adolescents around the world struggle to establish this healthy habit, often due to limited access to resources and education.
The study analyzed data from 266,113 students across 72 countries, collected through the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) from 2010 to 2019. By examining toothbrushing frequency, researchers assessed the extent to which children and adolescents brush their teeth at least once a day, an essential practice in preventing dental disease. This GSHS is a collaborative surveillance project designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help countries measure and assess the behavioral risk factors and protective factors in 10 key areas among young people aged 13 to 17 years.
Hoque Apu and Siddika’s research highlights the potential for school-based dental health education programs to make a meaningful impact on young people’s oral health behaviors. By instilling these habits during early adolescence, educational interventions can contribute to improved well-being both in the short and long term. LMU-CDM remains committed to advancing dental health knowledge through research and education, working to address global health disparities and improve access to quality oral health care.
Dental and Medical Problems is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal covering aspects of oral sciences and general medicine. The journal has an impact factor of 2.70.
For more information or to read the full research publication click here.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is home to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) programs. It is located in Knoxville at the newly renovated LMU Tower. For more information about LMU-CDM programs contact, CollegeofDentalMedicine@LMUnet.edu.
