Effect of Dental Education Duration on Halitosis and Associated Factors
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Halitosis, Dentistry. Basic parameters: 18 years — 25 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Assessment of the Relationship Between Duration of Dental Education and Halitosis, Oral Hygiene Behaviors, and Associated Factors Among Dental Students
Overview
The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the study criteria and provide written informed consent. Participants will undergo subjective and objective halitosis assessments, including questionnaires, organoleptic evaluation, volatile sulfur compound measurements, tongue coating assessment, and DMFT index recording.
Detailed description
Halitosis, also known as oral malodor, is a multifactorial condition primarily associated with volatile sulfur compounds produced by bacterial metabolism in the oral cavity. Although previous studies have investigated factors related to halitosis, limited information is available regarding the influence of dental education duration on objective halitosis measurements and associated behavioral and psychological factors.
This study will compare first-year and fifth-year dental students to evaluate whether the duration of dental education is associated with differences in halitosis levels. Objective measurements, including organoleptic assessment and portable digital halitometer measurements of volatile sulfur compounds, will be combined with subjective assessments of halitosis perception, oral hygiene habits, perceived stress levels, tongue coating index, and DMFT index.
The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the relationship between dental education, oral health awareness, lifestyle behaviors, psychological factors, and halitosis among future dental professionals.
Primary outcome measures
- Halitosis Level Assessed by Organoleptic Evaluation [Time frame: Baseline]
- Volatile Sulfur Compound (VSC) Levels Measured by Portable Digital Halitometer [Time frame: Baseline]
- Self-Perceived Halitosis Level Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [Time frame: Baseline]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Perceived Stress Level Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) [Time frame: Baseline]
- Tongue Coating Index (TCI) [Time frame: Baseline]
- Dental Caries Experience Assessed by DMFT Index [Time frame: Baseline]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Dentistry at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University.
- First-year and fifth-year dental students who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
- Healthy students with no systemic diseases affecting oral health or halitosis assessment.
- Students with normal nasal breathing ability.
- Participants who comply with the pre-assessment instructions required for accurate halitosis measurements.
- Participants who are able to complete the questionnaires and clinical evaluation procedures.
Exclusion criteria
- Students with systemic diseases that may affect halitosis, including diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, or gastrointestinal disorders.
- Participants with active upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, tonsilloliths, or other conditions affecting oral odor.
- Participants with a history of antibiotic use within the previous 3 weeks.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding students.
- Students unwilling to provide written informed consent.
- Students receiving active orthodontic treatment or requiring orthognathic treatment.
- Participants unable to comply with the pre-assessment restrictions (dietary restrictions, oral hygiene restrictions, smoking and product-use restrictions) before halitosis evaluation.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University — Rize
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07740876 · 2026/313