Abstract
Many preventive approaches in dentistry aim to improve oral health through behavioural instruction or intervention concerning oral health behaviour. However, it is still unknown which factors have the highest impact on oral health behaviours, such as toothbrushing or regular dental check-ups. Various external and internal individual factors such as education, experience with dentists or influence by parents could be relevant. Therefore, the present observational study investigated the influence of these factors on self-reported oral heath behaviour. One hundred and seventy participants completed standardized questionnaires about dental anxiety (Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and dental self-efficacy perceptions (dSEP)). They also answered newly composed questionnaires on oral hygiene behaviours and attitudes, current and childhood dental experiences as well as parental oral hygiene education and care. Four independent factors, namely attitude towards oral hygiene, attitude towards one's teeth, sense of care and self-inspection of one's teeth were extracted from these questionnaires by rotating factor analysis. The results of the questionnaires were correlated by means of linear regressions. Dental anxiety was related to current negative emotions when visiting a dentist and negative dental-related experiences during childhood. High DAS scores, infantile and current negative experiences showed significant negative correlations with the attitude towards oral hygiene and one's teeth. Dental anxiety and current negative dental experiences reduced participants' dental self-efficacy perceptions as well as the self-inspection of one's teeth. While parental care positively influenced the attitude towards one's teeth, dental self-efficacy perceptions significantly correlated with attitude towards oral hygiene, self-inspection of one's teeth and parental care. Dental anxiety, dental experiences, parents' care for their children's oral hygiene and dental self-efficacy perceptions influence the attitude towards oral hygiene and one's own oral cavity as well as the autonomous control of one's own dental health. Therefore, oral hygiene instruction and the development of patient-centred preventive approaches should consider these factors.
Highlights
Over the last decades, prevention of oral diseases came more and more in focus as there is evidence that oral health is a matter of oral wellbeing and quality of life; it can affect the overall health
Oral health behaviour is essential for maintaining the integrity of the teeth and the oral cavity as a whole
The importance and actual implementation of oral hygiene and other oral health maintenance measures should be conveyed by dental professionals as well as in the private environment
Summary
Prevention of oral diseases came more and more in focus as there is evidence that oral health is a matter of oral wellbeing and quality of life; it can affect the overall health. Oral health behaviours summarise a wide range of measures designed to help preventing any alteration of oral health. For active measures, their relevance must be conveyed to the patient and their implementation must be internalised so that they are maintained over the course of the patient’s life. The most widespread and individually enforceable measures are oral hygiene measures such as regular and careful tooth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and interdental cleaning, as well as dental check-ups and the implementation of any necessary therapies
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