Knowledge and self-perception of breath odour amongst house officers at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the knowledge and perception of house officers on halitosis in the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Questionnaires including items relating to knowledge of halitosis, awareness and timing of bad breath, oral hygiene habits and opinions on other issues related to bad breath were administered to the subjects.

RESULTS

Only seventeen (15.5%) of the 110 respondents knew that halitosis refers to malodour originating from the oral and nasal cavities while five (5%) were of the opinion that halitosis is only a cosmetic problem. Furthermore, thirty nine (35.5%) preferred not being told by a friend or colleague if their breath smells badly.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge and perception of the newly qualified doctors to halitosis in this study is unsatisfactory. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made to improve them. This could be achieved by more emphasis on this subject during their undergraduate training.