Gingivitis among first-year medical students in 2025

Chu Thi Quynh Huong, Luong Ngoc Khue, Nguyen Thi Dung, Luu Van Tuong

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Abstract

Gingivitis is an early and reversible manifestation of periodontal disease, yet it remains common among young adults. This study described gingivitis and analyzed its association with oral hygiene among 259 first-year medical students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in 2025. Oral examinations were conducted in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines using the Gingival Index (GI), the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI); gingivitis was defined as GI ≥ 1. The results showed that 72.2% of students had gingivitis, predominantly at mild to moderate levels, while periodontal conditions were mainly identified at early stages based on CPI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for oral health-related behaviors, did not identify any independent statistically significant association with gingivitis. These findings indicate that first-year medical students are within a favorable “window of opportunity” for prevention, highlighting the importance of effective plaque control and periodic screening in university settings to prevent the progression of periodontal disease.

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