Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review
ObjectiveThis scoping review aims to review and synthesize existing literature on oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, barriers, and status among international post-secondary students.MethodsUsing the Arksey and O'Malley framework, MEDLINE, Embase, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Sou...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oral Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1555165/full |
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| author | Hassan W. Yassin Shahzaib Fida Khrisha Alphonsus Jessica Lieffers Amrinderbir Singh |
| author_facet | Hassan W. Yassin Shahzaib Fida Khrisha Alphonsus Jessica Lieffers Amrinderbir Singh |
| author_sort | Hassan W. Yassin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis scoping review aims to review and synthesize existing literature on oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, barriers, and status among international post-secondary students.MethodsUsing the Arksey and O'Malley framework, MEDLINE, Embase, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched in June 2024 for selected oral health and international student keywords. Manual searches of reference lists and citations were also conducted. Original research studies in English language were included, with no geographical or date limitations. Using Rayyan, duplicates were removed, and then two authors independently screened available literature according to eligibility criteria; inconsistencies or disagreements were resolved through a third author.ResultsThe search yielded 984 articles. After removal of duplicates and those inconsistent with our inclusion criteria, 14 articles remained. In total, 13/14 articles used a cross-sectional design implementing surveys or interviews; only 4 articles presented objective clinical measures (e.g., DMFT, objective periodontal measures). Some included articles provided information about dietary habits relevant to oral health; however, information captured was limited. Overall, compared to the domestic students, international students were reported to have poorer oral health status; more gaps in their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding oral health; and were also less likely to obtain routine oral health care.ConclusionInternational students may face significant challenges in managing and optimizing their oral health vs. domestic students due to various factors (e.g., acculturation stress, finances, diet, academic stress etc.). Post-secondary institutions may want to consider focusing on supporting and empowering international students to access oral health care on a regular basis through targeted interventions. To design impactful interventions, future community engaged research is needed to better understand the perspectives of international students regarding their oral health status, knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, needs, and aspirations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cfe8ebba5620435699aade35273cb300 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-4842 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-cfe8ebba5620435699aade35273cb3002025-08-20T01:49:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oral Health2673-48422025-03-01610.3389/froh.2025.15551651555165Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping reviewHassan W. Yassin0Shahzaib Fida1Khrisha Alphonsus2Jessica Lieffers3Amrinderbir Singh4College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaCollege of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaSchool of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaCollege of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaCollege of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaObjectiveThis scoping review aims to review and synthesize existing literature on oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, barriers, and status among international post-secondary students.MethodsUsing the Arksey and O'Malley framework, MEDLINE, Embase, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched in June 2024 for selected oral health and international student keywords. Manual searches of reference lists and citations were also conducted. Original research studies in English language were included, with no geographical or date limitations. Using Rayyan, duplicates were removed, and then two authors independently screened available literature according to eligibility criteria; inconsistencies or disagreements were resolved through a third author.ResultsThe search yielded 984 articles. After removal of duplicates and those inconsistent with our inclusion criteria, 14 articles remained. In total, 13/14 articles used a cross-sectional design implementing surveys or interviews; only 4 articles presented objective clinical measures (e.g., DMFT, objective periodontal measures). Some included articles provided information about dietary habits relevant to oral health; however, information captured was limited. Overall, compared to the domestic students, international students were reported to have poorer oral health status; more gaps in their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding oral health; and were also less likely to obtain routine oral health care.ConclusionInternational students may face significant challenges in managing and optimizing their oral health vs. domestic students due to various factors (e.g., acculturation stress, finances, diet, academic stress etc.). Post-secondary institutions may want to consider focusing on supporting and empowering international students to access oral health care on a regular basis through targeted interventions. To design impactful interventions, future community engaged research is needed to better understand the perspectives of international students regarding their oral health status, knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, needs, and aspirations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1555165/fulloral healthinternational studentknowledge attitudes and behaviors (KABs)oral health and nutritionvulnerable populationdeterminants of oral health |
| spellingShingle | Hassan W. Yassin Shahzaib Fida Khrisha Alphonsus Jessica Lieffers Amrinderbir Singh Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review Frontiers in Oral Health oral health international student knowledge attitudes and behaviors (KABs) oral health and nutrition vulnerable population determinants of oral health |
| title | Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review |
| title_full | Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review |
| title_short | Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and status among international post-secondary students: a scoping review |
| title_sort | oral health knowledge attitudes behaviours and status among international post secondary students a scoping review |
| topic | oral health international student knowledge attitudes and behaviors (KABs) oral health and nutrition vulnerable population determinants of oral health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1555165/full |
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