Abstract
Objectives The aim was to compare oral hygiene practice (brushing/flossing) among 18 years old from two regions, Hordaland County, Norway, and possible perceptional correlates using the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods The participants from six municipalities from the south district with high prevalence of dental caries to six municipalities from the rest of Hordaland county, with low prevalence of dental caries (control), using a web-based questionnaire. Statistical analyses: the Mann–Whitney U test was used and the t -test for independent samples. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses to examine associations. Results A total of 416 people participated. The south district’s participants had lesser percentage brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, they significantly visited lesser the dental service, perceived more susceptibility to dental caries, and lower benefits of brushing/flossing compared with the controls. Girls (odds ratio [OR]: 0.34) who perceived higher severity of dental caries (OR: 1.86), higher self-identity (OR: 2.14), and lesser barriers to brushing (OR: 0.14) had higher odds to brushing twice a day compared with their counterparts. Girls (OR: 0.34) who perceived higher severity of dental caries (OR: 2.34), higher benefits (OR = 2.8), and lesser barriers to flossing (OR = 0.23) had higher odds to flossing at least once a day compared with their counterparts. Conclusion South district’s participants significantly had some of risk factors to the recommended brushing/flossing practice compared with the control and these might help in explaining the difference in oral hygiene practice.
Highlights
Positive oral health behaviors could be understood as behaviors related to removing dental plaque, using fluoride toothpaste, adhering to a low cariogenic diet, and regular attendance to dental service.[1,2] It is recommended twice-a-day tooth brushing and daily interdental flossing.[3]Adolescence is an important life period to promote favorable oral health perceptions and behaviors
We used social security numbers obtained from the participants in the questionnaire to access their individual clinical records in (OPUS) medical record system for private and public dental clinics used in Norway in PDHS to collect information regarding individual dental caries experience (DMFT) and dental service utilization after written consent
The only significant difference between the two groups concerning oral hygiene behaviors was in visiting the dentist at least once a year during the last 5 years (79.1 vs. 89.8%, odds ratio: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–4.0)
Summary
Adolescence (including 18 years old) is an important life period to promote favorable oral health perceptions and behaviors. As there seems to be some stability in health behaviors between adolescence and adulthood, which reflects lifestyles that are influenced by both life choices and life chances,[4] it is recommended to establish favorable oral hygiene habits at this age.[5]. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was one of the first attempts to view health within the social context. It is a belief-based model and has been used to study a variety of health behaviors, including oral hygiene practices.[7-9]
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