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Table 2 Comparison of the knowledge scores of non-medical, dental, and medical students

From: Knowledge of and attitudes towards erosive tooth wear among students of two Chinese universities

Item no.

Item content

NSs

DSs

MSs

P-value

K1

Erosive tooth wear is a form of cavities and tooth decay

0.15 ± 0.36

0.99 ± 0.08

0.12 ± 0.32

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 2

Erosive tooth wear is caused by bacteria

0.16 ± 0.36

0.77 ± 0.42

0.12 ± 0.32

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 3

Erosive tooth wear is an irreversible disease

0.28 ± 0.45

0.69 ± 0.47

0.29 ± 0.46

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 4

One leading cause of tooth wear is acid in our food and drinks

0.47 ± 0.50

0.81 ± 0.39

0.47 ± 0.50

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 5

Saliva is one of the most important defence mechanisms against erosion

0.30 ± 0.46

0.69 ± 0.47

0.36 ± 0.48

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 6

Erosive tooth wear can occur if you often work in acidic environments

0.39 ± 0.49

0.81 ± 0.40

0.44 ± 0.50

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 7

Erosive tooth wear can occur if you often have to vomit

0.43 ± 0.50

0.87 ± 0.34

0.50 ± 0.50

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 8

Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks may make erosive tooth wear worse

0.21 ± 0.41

0.59 ± 0.49

0.22 ± 0.42

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 9

Drinking before going to bed is a risk factor for developing erosive tooth wear

0.49 ± 0.50

0.76 ± 0.43

0.57 ± 0.50

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 10

Drinking immediately after strenuous exercise increases a person’s risk for erosive tooth wear

0.47 ± 0.50

0.66 ± 0.48

0.48 ± 0.50

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 11

Erosive tooth wear may lead to pain and sensitivity

0.62 ± 0.49

0.88 ± 0.33

0.71 ± 0.46

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 12

Erosive tooth wear can lead to the progressive loss of the surface of the tooth

0.46 ± 0.50

0.84 ± 0.37

0.61 ± 0.49

< 0.001 (DSs > MSs > NSsa)

K 13

Drinking a whole bottle of soda in several sittings rather than in just one sitting decreases a person’s risk for erosive tooth wear

0.28 ± 0.45

0.66 ± 0.48

0.30 ± 0.46

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

K 14

Using a fluoride toothpaste will prevent erosive tooth wear

0.40 ± 0.49

0.71 ± 0.46

0.51 ± 0.50

< 0.001 (DSsaNSs, MSsa)

K 15

Using a straw when you drink soda may help avoid erosive tooth wear

0.42 ± 0.50

0.72 ± 0.45

0.40 ± 0.49

< 0.001 (DSs > NSs, MSsa)

  1. NSs non-medical students, DSs dental students, MSs medical students
  2. a>indicates statistical significance