Application of the extended theory of planned behavior to understand Chinese students’ intention to improve their oral health behaviors: a cross-sectional study

Background The present study aimed to develop and test an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), which includes attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, oral health knowledge, and past oral health behavior on the intention to improve oral health behaviors among primary school students in Shanghai, China. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 414 students in the third-grade from 10 classes of Mingqiang Primary School located in Shanghai, China. Participants were recruited in October 2019. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires, consisting of demographic characteristics, TPB variables, oral health knowledge and past oral health behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze TPB items. Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to identify the associated factors of intention to improve oral health behaviors. Results The study showed that among students in the third grade, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and past oral health behaviors were associated with the intention to improve oral health behaviors. In the hierarchical regression analysis, age and sex were entered in Model 1 which significantly explained 3.00% of the variance (F = 6.26, p < 0.01). The addition of Model 2 variables of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and oral health knowledge revealed that TPB variables explained 26.70% (F = 29.59, p < 0.01). For Model 3, the addition of past oral health behaviors accounted for a further 1% of variance, and the full model has accounted for 28.30% of the variance with the intention to improve oral health behaviors (F = 22.8, p < 0.01). Regression analyses supported that among the significant variables, perceived behavioral control had the largest beta weight, followed by subjective norms and past oral health behaviors. Conclusion The extended TPB model constructed in this study could be used to explain children’s intentions to improve oral health behaviors. Children’s oral health-related perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and past oral health behaviors may serve as priority intervention targets in oral health promotion practices aimed at children.

The efficacy of peer-led oral health programs based on Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model among Hong Kong adolescents: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Oral diseases are preventable through the building of good oral health behaviors. Theory-based behavior change was key to the efficacy of oral health promotion since conventional promotion strategies achieved only short-lived and limited improvements. The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of a peer-led oral health intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) and the social cognitive theory (SCT) on oral self-care behaviors among Hong Kong adolescents. One thousand one hundred and eighty-four adolescents in 12 schools participated and were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group, utilizing a cluster-randomized controlled trial design. Brushing/flossing frequency, HBM/SCT constructs, oral health knowledge, and dental anxiety were measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Changes in behaviors were assessed using mixed-effects model and the mediators of behavioral change were identified with parallel multiple mediation analysis. At 6 months, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the frequency of brushing and flossing compared with the control group. Self-efficacy was identified as mediator between treatment condition and behavioral changes of brushing and flossing. Combining theories of HBM and SCT is a promising avenue for efficacy in oral health behaviors. The effects were mediated through cognitive variables, which provided guidance for both theory and health intervention development.

Development and Validation of Perceived Oral Health Benefits on Yoga Scale (POBYS)

Objective: Sustained practice of Yoga leads to self-awareness, physical strength and high sense of energy. Yoga stimulates antioxidant levels in the body and reduces likelihood of dental disorders. No research has been undertaken connecting perception on yoga and oral health behaviors. The present study is an attempt to develop a psychometric scale entitled Perceived Benefits on Yoga Scale (PBYS) to measure individuals’ perception on Yoga in relation to oral health behaviors. Material and methods: The psychometric tool was developed based on the concepts of Health Benefit Model (HBM). Among the four components of the model, the present study considered “perceived benefits” component. A total of 206 individuals participated in the study. To analyze the scale theoretically, face and content validity were assessed. Reliability of the scale was tested using Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown coefficient. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, construct validity was tested. Cronbach alpha and Spearman- Brown coefficient were applied to test the reliability of scale. Results: There were six items in the final scale, with a Spearman- Brown coefficient of 0.92 and Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) positive correlation was found between POBYS scores and Yoga Self-Efficacy Scale (YSES). Validity of scale is within accepted range as indicated by Goodness of Fit indices. Conclusion: POBYS is a reliable and valid measure of perception on yoga outcomes with specific reference to oral health behavior. Keywords Yoga; Health belief model; Oral health behavior; Scale development; Confirmatory factor analysis.

ANXIETY ASSOCIATED WITH ORAL HEALTH AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Background: A Psychological discomfort can influence how people behave when it comes to their health. We looked at how gender, school grade, parents' education, family structure, smoking, and perceived overall health influenced psychological distress, social phobia (SP), and anxiety linked with dental brushing among Finnish teenagers. Methodology: This research is part of the national School Health Promotion Study in Finland (SHP). A representative sample of Finnish 15-year-olds (N=45,877) was used in the study. SP and anxiety were assessed using the Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The respondents' oral health behaviors (tooth brushing, smoking), background characteristics (age, gender, family structure, and parents' education), and perceived general health were all asked about in a questionnaire. In the study, Chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses were used. Keywords: Adolescents, Oral health behaviour, Psychological distress, Tooth brushing.

Oral health assessment and associated lifestyle behaviors among adults in Mathura city: a cross-sectional study

Background: Oral health is recognized as an important aspect of an individual’s general health and quality of life. Impairment of oral health diminishes the quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the oral health (the number of natural teeth, pain or discomfort on teeth, having dentures), oral health behaviors (e.g., using toothbrush, dental flossing, and toothpaste containing fluoride) and lifestyle behaviors (e.g., sugar consumed, tobacco, alcohol) of people living in Mathura city, Uttar Pradesh.Methods: This study was cross-sectional study conducted at K. D. Dental College and Hospital, Mathura. Pre-validated WHO oral health questionnaire was used to assess oral health, lifestyle and oral health behaviors of the study participants. Face to face interview sessions were conducted with consenting individual participants to ensure transparency and consistency, to reduce interviewer and misclassification bias. Results: Total 550 participants were participated, in which 272 (100%) participants of 18-35 years of age group had 20 teeth or more. Majority of the participants had reported average status of teeth and gums. More than half of the participants were unaware of fluoride containing tooth paste i.e.; 122 (89.1%) participants of 36-50 years age group and 107 (75.9%) participants of 51-65 years age group.Conclusions: Although majority of the Mathura adults considered their oral health status good, only a small population considered their oral health status poor. Use of oral hygiene aids such as toothpick, dental floss etc., was limited in participants.

Parental Influences on Children’s Oral Health Behaviors, Reading Behaviors, and Reading Attitudes Associated with the Sharing of a Digital Story from the eBook for Oral Health Literacy© Curriculum

This study investigated the relationships between parents and their children on oral health behaviors, reading behaviors, reading attitudes, and liking perceptions of one chapter from an eBook curriculum intervention. A Qualtrics platform was used to survey 316 parent-child dyads across the United States before and after the shared reading of one chapter from the eBook for Oral Health Literacy© entitled “Setting Goals for Going to the Dentist”. Participants answered 75 questions about their teeth brushing and flossing behaviors, number of cavities, how often they visited libraries and bookstores, enjoyment of reading, and perceptions (liking) of the words and pictures of the chapter that they read and heard. Statistically significant relationships were found between parents and their children on oral health behaviors (?2 = 49.12, p < 0.001); reading behaviors (?2 = 10.4, p < 0.01), reading attitudes (?2 = 8.773, p < 0.01), and perception (liking) of the eBook chapter that they read and heard (?2 = 113.813, p < 0.01). Results from 301 parent-child dyads point to the importance of social modeling that parents play in the development of their children’s oral health behaviors, reading behaviors, and reading attitudes. Testing of additional chapters from the eBook intervention is warranted.

Effectiveness of an oral hygiene promoting program for elementary school students using a smartphone endomicroscope in Thailand

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of oral hygiene promoting program (OHPP) using a smartphone endomicroscope among students in elementary schools in Bangkok, Thailand, to enable their oral hygiene maintenance and to compare oral health outcomes in the intervention program between the experimental and control groups.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quasi-experimental research study consisting of two groups, a pretest, a posttest and a follow-up design. The student sample consisted of 59 fifth graders who matched the study criteria on medium and low levels of teeth brushing skills. There were 29 experimental group participants who completed the six-week OHPP using a smartphone endomicroscope. Another 30 participants formed the control group involved in the ordinary oral health education program. The comparison data for oral health behaviors (knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP)) and oral hygiene were statistically analyzed by using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).FindingsResults indicated that the experimental group exhibited higher oral health behaviors regarding KAPs and oral hygiene related to teeth cleanliness and gum health than the control group in the postexperimental and follow-up phases. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to tongue cleanliness.Originality/valueThe students maintain their own oral hygiene due to a provision of activities related to KAP concerns. The instrument helped the students to find tooth decay and dental plaque associated with teeth cleanliness after brushing their teeth.