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14 rev port estomatol med dent cir maxilofac . 2026;67(1):11-20

Table 2. Sociodemographic and military characteristics of the sample and their relationship with HUDBI (n=360).
HUDBI
Variables % (n)
Min. Max. Mean (SD) Median p-value
Sex
Male 83.9 (302) 3.0 10.0 6.83 (1.59) 7.0 0.75*
Female 16.1 (58) 1.0 10.0 6.78 (1.70) 7.0
Age Group
20-29 years old 23.0 (83) 3.0 10.0 6.82 (1.34) 7.0
30-39 years old 30.0 (108) 3.0 10.0 6.52 (1.64) 6.0 0.045**
40-49 years old 32.6 (117) 1.0 10.0 6.93 (1.75) 7.0
50 years or older 14.4 (52) 4.0 10.0 7.21 (1.50) 7.0
Military Position
Enlisted 1.9 (7) 5.0 9.0 7.0 (1.41) 7.0
Sergeant 66.1 (238) 1.0 10.0 6.66 (1.63) 7.0 0.026**
Officer 32.0 (115) 4.0 10.0 7.15 (1.53) 7.0
Academic qualifications
Completed basic education (9 years) 0.3 (1) 5.0 5.0 5.0 (0.0) 5.0
Completed secondary education (12 years) 63.9 (230) 1.0 10.0 6.68 (1.61) 7.0 0.039**
Completed higher education 35.8 (129) 4.0 10.0 7.09 (1.57) 7.0
Mission Deployment
Yes 42.2 (152) 4.0 10.0 6.85 (1.69) 7.0
No 57.8 (208) 1.0 10.0 6.80 (1.54) 7.0 0.78*
The p-values in bold indicate statistically significant differences.
*Mann-Whitney test. **Kruskal-Wallis test.

50

45
40

35 28.3 30.3
Frequency (%) 25 21.7
30

20
15

10 5.3 7.8
5 2.8 3.0
0.3 0.5
0
Facial pain Prosthesis Tooth Toothache Aesthetics Orthodontics Tooth Preventive Cleaning
placement extraction or abscess treatment visits

Figure 1. Reason for the last oral health appointment (n=360).

is vital not only for immediate deployment but also for the
Discussion
well-being necessary to carry out missions effectively. 22,23 As
Military personnel require full physical and mental health due a result, identifying oral health behaviors that need improve-
to the physical demands, responsibility, and stress associated ment is essential for the development of strategies to enhance
21
with daily military tasks. Therefore, it is important to study the oral health of military personnel.
oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among The mean HUDBI score in this study was 6.82, reflecting a
military personnel, considering the consequences that neglect reasonable overall level of oral health-related knowledge and
may cause in daily military life. Additionally, good oral health attitudes but also indicating potential for further improve-