Could behavioural intervention improve oral hygiene in adolescents?

Abstract

Design Quasi-randomised controlled trial.Case selection Study participants (312; test: 158, control: 154) were conveniently selected based on age (16-17 years old), marginal gingival bleeding index or plaque index of 50% or more and good command of the Swedish language.Data analysis Measuring study outcomes was dichotomous. Marginal gingival bleeding and plaque were either present (1) or absent (2) at four sites on each tooth. Bleeding index and plaque index were presented as a percentage.Results By the end of the study, only 274 patients showed up for the six-month follow-up (test: 128, control: 146). Both groups showed improvement compared to baseline, although the test group showed significantly higher improvement than the control group.Conclusions A person-centred and theory-based behavioural programme was found to be more effective than conventional programmes in improving oral hygiene habits in adolescents.