Aim To explore and identify precedent factors that may influence nursing students’ oral hygiene practice in hospitalised patients, by using an adaptation of the Precede Model.

Method A quantitative approach with a descriptive design was adopted in this pilot study. A questionnaire was designed and implemented as a self-report method of data collection. A convenience sample of 37 second-year diploma nursing students in an Irish teaching hospital participated in the study.

Results The clinical area and the practices within it are influential factors in the provision of oral hygiene. Students are exposed to and influenced by outdated and non-research-based practices. Role modelling is an effective means of motivating and reinforcing student practices. However, qualified nurses’ practices need to be critically reviewed before assuming that they can act as role models in assisting students to implement research-based oral hygiene.

Conclusion Formal education, current practices, socialisation and role modelling may influence students’ behaviour in relation to oral hygiene. The results should be tentatively reviewed by clinical staff as an indication of current practices.