Oral health attitudes and behaviour among patients in a tertiary hospital.

Oral health attitude and behaviour among patients in a Nigerian tertiary Hospital was investigated. About 177 patients participated via a self-administered questionnaire which was completed anonymously within 5 minutes. No patient had any fore knowledge of the questions. About 63.2% have visited dental office, 53.4% visited only when in ache, 65.6% brushed more frequently, 28.8% have gum bleeding on brushing and 6.8% smoked cigarette. More females (35.5%) than males (23.7%) live with their families. About 37.9% (females) compared to 25.4% (males) visit dental office, while 36.2% of females visit when in ache against males (19.2%). Males (26%) brush less frequently than females (39.5%). Also, while more females (30.5%) are satisfied with their teeth appearance than males (19.2%), more males (5.1%) smoked than females (1.7%). Within the limitations of the study, generally males oral health attitude and behaviour are poorer and therefore, oral health campaign should be adopted for the population with special attention to the male gender.