Effects of an oral hygiene skills training on self-efficacy and decisional balance

Abstract

Background: Self-efficacy and decisional balance are related to self-reported and clinical oral health, but the effect of oral hygiene skills training on these psychological parameters is rarely examined. This study assessed the effect of an oral hygiene skills training on these two parameters. Methods: In a randomized controlled study 76 participants with fixed dentures received training either only on basics of toothbrushing or additionally on the Fones- or Bass-technique. Self-efficacy, decisional balance, oral hygiene skills (plaque after toothbrushing) and oral health (gingival bleeding) were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks after training. Findings: Self-efficacy and decisional balance were not related to oral hygiene skills at baseline. Groups differed in pros of toothbrushing (p<0.05) after 12 weeks; best values in the Fones group. Discussion: These results showed that self-efficacy and decisional balance should be assessed in oral hygiene skills training as well. Additionally, findings of our working-group indicated tha[removed]void(0);t the influence of the training on the assessed parameters varied between different kinds of samples. This should be considered in further trainings.