Awareness, Perception, and Knowledge about Oral Microbiota among College of Dentistry Students in Gulf Medical University/United Arab Emirates

Context: The human oral microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining oral and systemic health. Dysbiosis has been implicated in diseases such as periodontitis, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancers. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate awareness, perception, and knowledge of oral microbiota and its systemic implications among clinical dental students at Gulf Medical University (GMU), UAE. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 150 clinical dental students from the third, fourth, and fifth years of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery program. Methods and Materials: A validated, anonymous questionnaire (24 multiple-choice items) was distributed electronically. The survey assessed participants’ demographics, oral hygiene practices, perception of oral microbiota, and its relation to systemic health. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) in Microsoft Excel. Results: Among respondents, 84% recognized the oral cavity as a habitat for diverse microbes, and 88% agreed that microbial imbalance leads to oral diseases. Awareness of the oral microbiota’s systemic links was high (87.3%), particularly with diabetes (70.7%) and cardiovascular diseases (48.7%). However, only 19.3% linked oral microbiota monitoring with early cancer detection. While 72% brushed twice daily, only 34.7% used probiotics. Conclusion: GMU dental students demonstrated substantial awareness of the oral microbiota’s role in oral and systemic health. However, gaps exist in advanced knowledge areas such as diagnostic microbiota testing and therapeutic interventions, indicating a need for curriculum enhancement.