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| Variables | Self-perceived training/educational needs (n) | Mean (SD) | p value | Gender (n) | Mean (SD) | p value |
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| (1) Caries risk profiling is an essential first step in determining a preventive and restorative treatment plan as well as recall periodicity | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.41 ± 0.69 | 0.067 | Female (79) | 4.36 ± 0.78 | 0.148 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 4.13 ± 0.91 | Male (47) | 4.19 ± 0.82 |
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| (2) Saliva bacterial testing is additional diagnostic tool to determine a predictor for caries risk during the initial and periodic examinations | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.25 ± 0.71 | 0.752 | Female (79) | 4.41 ± 0.63 | <0.001 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 4.21 ± 0.72 | Male (47) | 3.93 ± 0.76 |
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| (3) Children should be encouraged to spit out toothpaste but do not rinse | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.34 ± 0.84 | 0.461 | Female (79) | 3.43 ± 0.74 | 0.073 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.27 ± 0.80 | Male (47) | 3.12 ± 0.92 |
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| (4) Fluoride is most effective when used topically, after the teeth have erupted | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.37 ± 1.14 | 0.174 | Female (79) | 3.17 ± 1.19 | 0.329 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.07 ± 1.23 | Male (47) | 3.38 ± 1.17 |
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| (5) Calcium phosphate therapies support fluoride therapy in the noninvasive management of early caries | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.50 ± 1.14 | 0.213 | Female (79) | 3.45 ± 1.17 | 0.503 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.25 ± 1.19 | Male (47) | 3.31 ± 1.16 |
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| (6) Additional at-home topical fluoride regimens should be considered for children at moderate and high risk for caries | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.65 ± 0.90 | 0.169 | Female (79) | 3.51 ± 0.94 | 0.547 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.41 ± 1.00 | Male (47) | 3.61 ± 0.96 |
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| (7) Simple sugars such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose are more cariogenic than more complex carbohydrates | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.37 ± 0.63 | 0.321 | Female (79) | 4.40 ± 0.56 | 0.176 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 4.23 ± 0.76 | Male (47) | 4.17 ± 0.84 |
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| (8) Xylitol chewing gum or mints reduces the levels of mutans streptococci in plaque | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.14 ± 0.76 | 0.224 | Female (79) | 4.27 ± 0.63 | 0.001 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.98 ± 0.83 | Male (47) | 3.74 ± 0.92 |
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| (9) The frequency of consumption of foods containing free sugars should be limited to a maximum of 4 times per day | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.97 ± 0.85 | 0.986 | Female (79) | 4.07 ± 0.82 | 0.060 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.96 ± 0.91 | Male (47) | 3.78 ± 0.93 |
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| (10) Antimicrobials should be used in children over 6 years of age who are classified as being at high or extreme risk for caries | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.06 ± 0.97 | 0.026 | Female (79) | 3.82 ± 1.12 | 0.504 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.56 ± 1.26 | Male (47) | 3.93 ± 1.13 |
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| (11) All children over 3 years should be encouraged to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.28 ± 0.64 | 0.230 | Female (79) | 4.27 ± 0.61 | 0.280 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 4.13 ± 0.69 | Male (47) | 4.12 ± 0.74 |
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| (12) Inspecting a newly erupted tooth using a sharp dental explorer damages the enamel roads and makes it prone to tooth decay | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 2.86 ± 0.81 | 0.821 | Female (79) | 3.02 ± 0.65 | 0.002 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 2.84 ± 0.70 | Male (47) | 2.57 ± 0.85 |
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| (13) Cheese and dairy product intake increase the saliva buffer capacity | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.74 ± 0.67 | 0.008 | Female (79) | 3.54 ± 0.74 | 0.247 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.37 ± 0.82 | Male (47) | 3.68 ± 0.78 |
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| (14) Fluoride varnish or gel should be applied every three months to the children with high caries risk | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 3.69 ± 0.85 | 0.595 | Female (79) | 3.73 ± 0.95 | 0.472 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 3.72 ± 1.02 | Male (47) | 3.65 ± 0.86 |
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| (15) Sealants should be applied and maintained in the tooth pits/fissures of high-caries-risk children | Students reported not having educational/training needs (75) | 4.33 ± 0.68 | 0.188 | Female (79) | 4.22 ± 0.86 | 0.839 |
| Students reported having educational/training needs (51) | 4.09 ± 0.94 | Male (47) | 4.25 ± 0.70 |
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