title: Self-perceived halitosis and oral hygiene habits among undergraduate dental students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Halitosis or oral malodor is characterized by unpleasant odor arising from the oral cavity. The prevalence of halitosis however is not studied extensively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the self perception of oral malodor and oral hygiene habits amongst dental students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire consisting of ten questions was administered to 285 undergraduate students of Madha Dental College and Hospital. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the self perception of halitosis, oral hygiene aids used, presence of dental caries, gingival bleeding, and dryness of mouth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 285 students, 259 students completed the questionnaire. The response rate was 90%, with male response rate being 85.7% and female 95.8%. Self-perceived halitosis was reported by 44.1% males and 45.32% females. The difference in reporting self-perception of halitosis between females and males was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Significant difference was found for use of mouth wash, presence of carious teeth, bleeding gums, and use of tongue cleaners between females and males (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate higher prevalence of halitosis among this population consisting of dental students. The awareness of halitosis was also higher among this population. The awareness of halitosis as an individual entity should be promoted to the general population and the therapeutic measures should be made available to all.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Madha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Balachandran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ashwath
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Madha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Rajaram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vijayalakshmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Madha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Subramaniam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malini
keywords: Dental students; halitosis; oral hygiene; oral malodor