Awareness and prevalence of white spot lesion among dental students: A cross sectional study

Aim: This cross sectional study is aimed at assessing the perceptions and level of awareness of dental students about their own dental health through evaluating the prevalence of white spot lesion. Materials and Methods: A detailed oral examination of ninety two dental students of K.V.G. Dental College and Hospital, Sullia, D.K, Karnataka, aged between 20 and 24 years was done to detect white spot lesions and caries experience through International Caries Detection and Assessment System II criteria. The subjects were handed a questionnaire to investigate the possible explanatory variables for their caries status and to assess dental knowledge and attitudes. Attempt was made by examiner to identify the etiology of white spot lesion as carious or enamel hypoplasia by air drying using a three-way syringe. Results: A majority of 93.5% of the student had acceptable level of knowledge to identify the non cavitated white spot lesion. The results revealed60.8% of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment had at least one white spot lesion. Among the ninety two students participated in the study, the examiner found a prevalence of enamel hypoplasia to be 29.3% and carious hypomineralisation to be 9.8%. Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate that the level of knowledge among dental students regarding white spot lesion of teeth as well as its association with orthodontic treatment and oral hygiene habits was acceptable.