Exploring Students' Experiences in Maintaining Oral Health: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
Oral Health, University Students, Oral Hygiene, Health Behavior, Qualitative StudyAbstract
Background: Oral health is an important component of overall health and quality of life among university students. Although students generally have access to oral health information, maintaining consistent preventive practices remains challenging due to academic demands, lifestyle changes, social influences, and barriers to dental care.
Research Objective: This study aimed to explore university students' experiences in maintaining oral health, including their perceptions, daily practices, motivations, barriers, social influences, and adaptive strategies.
Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted from March to May 2024 at a higher education institution in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Fifteen undergraduate students aged 18–25 years were recruited using purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews lasting approximately 40–60 minutes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis with the support of NVivo 14. Trustworthiness was established through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability strategies.
Results: Five major themes emerged: understanding the importance of oral health, daily oral health maintenance practices, barriers to maintaining oral health, social and environmental influences, and personal motivation and adaptive strategies. Students generally recognized the importance of oral health for comfort, confidence, communication, and academic activities. However, consistent practices were challenged by academic workload, fatigue, financial limitations, fear of dental treatment, and low motivation in the absence of symptoms. Family, peers, lecturers, social media, and health campaigns influenced oral health behaviors. Students developed adaptive strategies including reminders, carrying toothbrushes, dietary control, increased water intake, and scheduling dental visits.
Conclusion: Oral health maintenance among university students is a dynamic process shaped by individual, social, psychological, and environmental factors. Student-centered and contextually responsive oral health promotion is needed.
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