Level of Knowledge and Awareness of Halitosis in the Dental Medicine Students

Abstract

Background: Halitosis is a general term that means bad odor in the oral cavity that is difficult to treat due
to poor oral health and is a problem affecting 50% of the adult population The impact of halitosis is closely
related to the psychological and social effects of a person.
Purpose: To find out the level of knowledge and awareness of Dental Medicine Students of Universitas
Airlangga about halitosis and the benefits of the perception and level of awareness of halitosis as a reference
in carrying out health promotion.
Method: This research will use a cross sectional random sampling study. The survey or questionnaire was
distributed to 100 students from class of 2014 to 2019 Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga,
Surabaya, Indonesia.
Result: The results of this study shows that the level of halitosis knowledge in pre-clinic students shows
that 57% had a proper knowledge and 43% had a poor knowledge. While clinical students have a 46% poor
knowledge result and 54% with proper knowledge. For the awareness of halitosis in pre-clinic students
shows that 91% had a proper awareness and only 9% with poor awareness.
Conclusion: The average score of the respondents on poor knowledge of halitosis and poor awareness of
halitosis, so health promotion that will be carried out can be emphasized on counseling about halitosis.