Knowledge, Awareness, Perception and Attitude Regarding Exposure to Chemicals in Personal Care and Consumer Products among Undergraduate Dental Students

Dr. B. Rajashekar; Dr. K. V. N. R. Pratap; Dr. T. Madhavi Padma; Dr. Srujan Kumar; Dr. Surbhit Singh; Dr. K. Sai Teja

doi:10.36437/irmhs.2025.8.4.C

Dr. B. Rajashekar Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, India.
Dr. K. V. N. R. Pratap Professor and HOD, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, India.
Dr. T. Madhavi Padma Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, India.
Dr. Srujan Kumar Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, India.
Dr. Surbhit Singh Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, India.
Dr. K. Sai Teja Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36437/irmhs.2025.8.4.C

Keywords: Attitude, Consumer Products, Chemical Exposure, Dental Students, Knowledge, Awareness, Personal Care Products

Abstract

Background: Personal care and consumer products are widely used in daily life and often contain chemical constituents such as parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and formaldehyde releasers, which may pose potential health risks upon prolonged exposure. Dental students, as future healthcare professionals, should possess adequate knowledge and awareness regarding chemical exposure to guide personal practices and patient education.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, awareness, perception, and attitude regarding exposure to chemicals in personal care and consumer products among undergraduate dental students.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 200 undergraduate dental students. A structured, pretested questionnaire comprising 13 items evaluated four domains: knowledge, awareness, perception, and attitude toward chemical exposure in personal care and consumer products. Demographic variables such as age, gender, and year of study were recorded. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to compare responses based on gender and year of study.

Results: The mean age of participants was 21.35 ± 1.20 years. Females constituted 63%, while males accounted for 37% of the sample. Overall, students demonstrated moderate awareness but limited in-depth knowledge regarding chemical exposure. Statistically significant associations were observed between gender and responses for selected questions (Q1, Q7, Q10, Q11) and between year of study and awareness-related questions (Q2, Q3). Senior students and interns showed relatively better perception and attitude compared to junior students.

Conclusion: Although undergraduate dental students exhibited reasonable awareness and a positive attitude toward reducing chemical exposure, gaps in scientific knowledge persist. Incorporation of environmental health and chemical safety topics into the dental curriculum is recommended to enhance informed decision-making and preventive practices.

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