Abstract
Objectives: To make practical recommendations for improving oral hygiene behavior (OHB) potential predictors based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) were assessed. Measurements of oral health knowledge (OHK) and the expected social effect for having healthy teeth were included. Methods: 216 recruits in the Dutch Army ground forces completed a questionnaire about oral hygiene behavior, attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention to perform optimal OHB, OHK, and expected social outcomes. Results: The multivariate regression analysis revealed that attitude and PBC explained 37.2% of the variance in intention to perform optimal oral hygiene behavior, which is a substantial proportion. Furthermore, actual oral hygiene behavior was only predicted by attitude, explaining 7.1% of the variance. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that recruits’ oral hygiene behavior may be improved by promoting a more positive attitude and especially by enhancing perceived behavior control.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 971-976 |
| Journal | Military Medicine |
| Volume | 174 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Sept 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Reprint & Copyright © by Association of Military Surgeons of U.S., 2009Previous poster presentation: “Promoting Oral Health Self-Care in Recruits in the Dutch Army” at the first annual 2008 AMSUS International Delegates Poster Session in San Antonio, Texas (November 9–14, 2008).