{
  "abstract": "This study aimed to evaluate dental students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding toothbrush contamination and disinfection, and to assess differences according to clinical training level and gender. A total of 1206 dental students (years 1–5) from three dental faculties in Turkey were included. Data were collected through an online questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis. Of the participants, 767 were preclinical and 439 were clinical students. Mean knowledge, practice, attitude, and total scores were 3.87 ± 0.76, 3.45 ± 1.32, 2.83 ± 0.61, and 10.14 ± 1.86, respectively. Disinfection knowledge was higher in the clinical group ( p = 0.010), whereas disinfection practice was lower ( p = 0.001). The practice rate was significantly higher among students with disinfection knowledge (70.8% vs. 46.2%; p < 0.001) and among those who considered disinfection necessary (57.1% vs. 14.7%; p < 0.001). The most common source of information was social media, and the most frequently reported disinfection method was tap water. Knowledge and positive attitudes do not consistently translate into evidence-based practice among dental students. Although clinical training improves knowledge, it does not independently enhance disinfection behavior. Toothbrush hygiene should therefore be addressed through practice-oriented learning outcomes from the preclinical years.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Beril Demircan",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2865-7843"
    },
    {
      "name": "Alper Çamgöz",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-3846-4468"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ahmet Çalışkan",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8424-5886"
    },
    {
      "name": "Merve Bilmez Selen",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0726-4992"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hatice Aydogdu",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4089-3507"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fhbxsm48darre.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s41598-026-74115-0",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "fhbxsm48darre",
  "issns": [
    "2045-2322"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-74115-0",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|Infection Control in Healthcare"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7216584225",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-74115-0_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-02",
  "publisher": "Springer Science and Business Media LLC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fhbxsm48darre.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:19Z",
      "native_id": "10.1038/s41598-026-74115-0",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-74115-0"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2725|Infection Control in Healthcare",
      "subfield": "infectious-disease"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Knowledge attitudes and practices regarding toothbrush hygiene and disinfection among dental students in a multicenter cross sectional study",
  "title_text": "Knowledge attitudes and practices regarding toothbrush hygiene and disinfection among dental students in a multicenter cross sectional study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:19Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fhbxsm48darre",
  "venue": "Scientific Reports",
  "versions": []
}