A cross-sectional survey on the status of oral health administration for students in Japanese universities

Abstract

Purpose: A rapid deterioration of oral health after high school age is an issue to be addressed in Japan. Although this problem may relate to the weakness of oral health promotion for university students, the investigation of oral health-promoting activities, including annual dental checkups (DCs), undertaken by universities has never been conducted. Therefore, a questionnaire survey among health administration departments (HADs) was conducted to clarify the status of oral health-promoting activities for students. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire was voluntarily answered by HAD’s staff in 2015-2016. The major questions were on information concerning the university, HAD’s staff, implementation of DCs, and oral health-promoting activities for students. Results: Of 295 universities, 130 valid responses (response rate 44.1%) were analyzed. DCs were implemented in 10.9% of the universities. The main reasons for not implementing DCs were the large budgetary burden and low needs of students. The dental clinic introductory service was undertaken by 62.3%, whereas provision of oral health information was undertaken by only 23.8%. Conclusion: A low ratio of universities implemented DCs and provided oral health information. Further expansion of DC implementation is considered difficult because of the budgetary burden. Promoting the provision of oral health information from universities is required to improve students’ oral health.