Effect of Dental Education Duration on Halitosis and Associated Factors

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.

Inclusion Criteria: * 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. Exclusion Criteria: * 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.