The Effect of Residential University Life on Galala dental students: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

Technical Summary: The Effect of Residential University Life on Galala Dental Students

Problem Statement
Dental caries is a multifactorial infectious disease influenced by dietary habits, salivary function, and environmental factors. University life represents a critical developmental stage where lifestyle changes—specifically regarding diet, stress levels, sleep patterns, and oral hygiene routines—can significantly alter caries risk. While existing literature suggests that residential university life (living in dormitories) often leads to unbalanced diets and disrupted sleep, potentially increasing caries prevalence, there is a gap in epidemiological data regarding how this specific living arrangement affects senior dental students. Unlike general populations, dental students possess professional knowledge regarding caries prevention, which may mitigate lifestyle-related risks. This study aimed to determine whether residential university life at Galala University significantly impacts the prevalence of dental caries among senior dental students compared to their non-resident peers.

Methodology
This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at Galala University involving 303 dental students (176 residents and 127 non-residents) in their 4th or 5th year of study. The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University.

• Participants: Inclusion criteria required students to have completed dental cariology instruction, possess at least one year of clinical practice, and be medically free. Exclusion criteria applied to students in years 1–3 and non-dental students.
• Data Collection:
  • Questionnaire: An anonymous electronic survey (Google Forms) collected demographic data, daily dental care practices (brushing frequency, timing, flossing, use of fluoridated toothpaste), and self-perceived caries risk.
  • Clinical Examination: The primary outcome measure was the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, assessed via clinical examination using WHO criteria (probe, mirror, cotton rolls).
  • Calibration: Inter- and intra-examiner reliability was ensured through calibration exercises following WHO oral health survey guidelines.
• Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS v28. The unpaired Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for quantitative data, while Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests assessed qualitative variables. Correlation between residence status and DMFT scores was evaluated using Spearman correlation. Statistical significance was set at $P < 0.05$.

Key Results

• Demographics: The mean age of the cohort was 24.05 ± 0.89 years, with 61.4% male and 38.6% female. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, or academic level between resident and non-resident groups.
• Preventive Behaviors: Significant differences were observed in specific oral hygiene habits based on residence:
  • Brushing Frequency: Residents were significantly more likely to brush twice daily (54.5% vs. 37.8% for non-residents; $P=0.003$).
  • Forgotten Brushing: Residents reported forgetting to brush less frequently (34.7% vs. 21.3% for non-residents; $P=0.008$).
  • Brushing at College: Residents were significantly more likely to brush at the university (17.6% "Always" and 18.8% "Almost always") compared to non-residents, 50.4% of whom reported never brushing at college ($P=0.001$).
  • Other Factors: No significant differences were found regarding flossing frequency, use of fluoridated toothpaste, diet modification for caries prevention, or self-perceived caries risk.
• Caries Experience (DMFT):
  • The total sample mean DMFT score was 3.14 ± 2.86, indicating a mild to moderate caries burden.
  • Comparison: There was no statistically significant difference in mean DMFT scores between residents (2.94 ± 2.73) and non-residents (3.19 ± 2.91; $P=0.859$).
  • Correlation: Residence status showed no significant correlation with DMFT scores ($r=0.013, P=0.822$).

Key Contributions
The study contributes to oral epidemiology by isolating the variable of residential status within a highly educated, homogeneous population (dental students). It highlights a dissociation between behavioral advantages and clinical outcomes: while resident students demonstrated superior adherence to specific preventive behaviors (specifically brushing frequency and location), these habits did not translate into a statistically lower caries burden compared to non-residents. The findings suggest that professional education and shared academic stressors may homogenize caries risk factors across different living environments, overriding the potential negative impacts of dormitory life.

Significance and Claims
The authors conclude that residential university life did not have a significant effect on the prevalence of caries in senior dental students at Galala University. The study posits that the lack of difference in DMFT scores, despite behavioral variations, underscores the multifactorial etiology of dental caries, where knowledge and professional training may mitigate lifestyle risks.

The paper modestly frames its findings as exploratory rather than confirmatory, noting limitations such as the cross-sectional design (preventing causal inference), reliance on self-reported data (risk of recall and social desirability bias), and the single-center nature of the study. The authors suggest that future research should employ longitudinal designs and include more sensitive variables such as dietary assessment, sleep monitoring, and salivary biomarkers to better understand the shifts in lifestyle factors on caries development.

Ultimately, the study implies that institutional support and oral health promotion within the curriculum are crucial in neutralizing traditional caries risk factors associated with university living, and that bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and actual preventive practice remains a key challenge for dental education.