Effect of Dental Education Duration on Halitosis and Associated Factors

NCT07740876 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026/313
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the study criteria and provide written informed consent. Participants will undergo subjective and objective halitosis assessments, including questionnaires, organoleptic evaluation, volatile sulfur compound measurements, tongue coating assessment, and DMFT index recording.

Conditions

Halitosis; Dentistry

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Halitosis Level Assessed by Organoleptic Evaluation

  Halitosis level will be assessed using the organoleptic evaluation method performed by two trained evaluators. The perceived odor intensity will be scored according to a standardized 0-5 scale: 0 = no odor, 1 = barely noticeable odor, 2 = slight but noticeable odor, 3 = moderate odor, 4 = strong odor, and 5 = extremely strong odor. The mean score of the two evaluators will be recorded as the organoleptic halitosis score. A score of ≥2 will be considered indicative of halitosis.

  Baseline

• Volatile Sulfur Compound (VSC) Levels Measured by Portable Digital Halitometer

  Exhaled breath volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels will be measured using a portable digital halitometer. Three measurements will be obtained from each participant, and the mean value will be recorded in parts per billion (ppb). Values ≥125 ppb will be considered indicative of halitosis.

  Baseline

• Self-Perceived Halitosis Level Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Participants' self-perception of oral malodor will be evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no perceived halitosis and 10 indicates severe perceived halitosis.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Perceived Stress Level Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

  Baseline

• Tongue Coating Index (TCI)

  Baseline

• Dental Caries Experience Assessed by DMFT Index

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

First-Year Dental Students

Participants in this cohort are undergraduate dental students in their first year of dental education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. This cohort represents students at the beginning of their dental education. Participants will undergo halitosis assessment using subjective and objective evaluation methods, including halitosis questionnaire, organoleptic assessment, portable digital halitometer measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), tongue coating index evaluation, and DMFT index recording. Perceived stress levels will also be evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. No intervention will be applied.

Fifth-Year Dental Students

Participants in this cohort are undergraduate dental students in their fifth year of dental education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. This cohort represents students with advanced dental education and clinical training experience. Participants will undergo halitosis assessment using subjective and objective evaluation methods, including halitosis questionnaire, organoleptic assessment, portable digital halitometer measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), tongue coating index evaluation, and DMFT index recording. Perceived stress levels will also be evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. No intervention will be applied.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included in this cross-sectional observational study. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the inclusion criteria and provide written informed consent. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between duration of dental education and halitosis by comparing objective and subjective halitosis measurements, including organoleptic assessment, volatile sulfur compound (VSC) measurements using a portable digital halitometer, halitosis perception questionnaires, tongue coating index, DMFT index, and perceived stress levels.

You may qualify if:

• Undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Dentistry at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University.
• First-year and fifth-year dental students who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
• Healthy students with no systemic diseases affecting oral health or halitosis assessment.
• Students with normal nasal breathing ability.
• Participants who comply with the pre-assessment instructions required for accurate halitosis measurements.
• Participants who are able to complete the questionnaires and clinical evaluation procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Students with systemic diseases that may affect halitosis, including diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, or gastrointestinal disorders.
• Participants with active upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, tonsilloliths, or other conditions affecting oral odor.
• Participants with a history of antibiotic use within the previous 3 weeks.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding students.
• Students unwilling to provide written informed consent.
• Students receiving active orthodontic treatment or requiring orthognathic treatment.
• Participants unable to comply with the pre-assessment restrictions (dietary restrictions, oral hygiene restrictions, smoking and product-use restrictions) before halitosis evaluation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Rize, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Halitosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Dilara Nil GÜNAÇAR

CONTACT

+905412940104; dilaranil.tomrukcu@erdogan.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: August 3, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 15, 2026
• Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

TU (1)