title: [Profile of first year dental students in Tunisia].
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess social conditions, school history, professional choices and oral health status of first-year dental students 1998/1999. We included 155 Tunisian students, 18-22 years old. There was a higher proportion of female students (58%) whose average age (18.9 years) was younger than the males. We found that 79% came from urban environments and 41% from middle socioeconomic background. Also 48% had parents who had a high level of education. Dental studies were the first choice for 50% of the students and they were looking for prestige and security. Concerning oral heath status, 88% of the students had periodontal problems and 70% had caries. More information for students about the options available to them at university and greater efforts from teachers to motivate students in oral hygiene are needed.
authors.affiliation: Service Odontologie pédiatrique, Faculté de Médecine dentaire, Monastir, Tunisie.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maatouk
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: El-May
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghedira
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fathallah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002321:Career Choice; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014416:Tunisia