Abstract
This study aims to clarify the change in nursing students' motivation to learn about oral care by comparing first- and fourth-year students. A questionnaire was distributed to first- and fourth-year nursing students concerning their willingness to learn about oral care. Data were obtained from 71 valid responses and subsequently analysed. Results showed that the motivation to learn about oral care was higher in the fourth year than in the first year, but the difference was not significant. In the first year, those with higher levels of basic confidence tended to show greater interest in learning about oral care. Among fourth-year students, no similar relationship was found. The motivation to learn about oral care changed from the first year to the fourth year. The enjoyment of university life, the number of friends an individual has in the school, and the number of friends an individual has outside the school, are related factors. To increase nursing students' motivation to learn about dental care, it was necessary for them to enjoy university life and develop friendships. There is a need to educate students based on the circumstances surrounding the motivation to learn among first and fourth-year students as well as the identified related factors.
