Assessment of University Students’ Perceptions Regarding the Effect of E-cigarettes on Oral health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60988/p.v37i4.122Keywords:
electronic cigarettes, vaping, oral health, dental health, university students, health knowledge, periodontal disease, health educationAbstract
Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become popular among university students, perhaps their potential negative impacts on orodental health remained underestimated by this demographic. Objective: We aimed to assess the knowledge of university students concerning the impacts of e-cigarettes on orodental health, and to investigate factors associated with knowledge deficits in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students aged 18-30 years at University of Mosul. Participants completed a structured Google form questionnaire about their knowledge of e-cigarette components. The Google form, included questions about periodontal complications, oral cancer risk, wound healing, and tooth enamel integrity. Demographic data and smoking history were also collected. Results: A total of 392 students participated in the present study. The respondent were highly positive linking e-cigarettes with stained teeth deficits, such as, (73%), bad breath (66%), dental decay (60%), enamel discoloration (67%), and 68% reported links to mouth irritation, dry mouth, and ulcers. Over half of responder (57%) approved that e-cigarettes change the oral microbiome, and 71% connected them to plaque accumulation. Participant positively linked e-cigarettes to serious illness, including heart disease (72%), lung cancer (80%), and oral cavity cancers (55%). Conclusions: University students revealed marked knowledge deficits concerning e-cigarette effects on oral health. These outcome mark the urgent need for public educational programs.
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