Tooth Brushing, Flossing, and Preventive Dental Visits by Detroit-area Residents in Relation to Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

A survey was conducted to identify (a) factors that influence preventive dental behaviors and (b) target groups for interventions. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with a probability sample of 662 dentate adults living in the Detroit tricounty area. The interviews included questions about demographic and socioeconomic variables and about three preventive behaviors: brushing, flossing, and preventive dental visits. All behaviors were positively associated with socioeconomic status. Females were more likely than males to perform each of the behaviors at the recommended frequency. The behaviors were only weakly associated with age. Whites were more likely than nonwhites to make regular dental visits, but frequency of brushing and flossing did not vary substantially across racial groups. The impact of race on frequency of dental visits was reduced when socioeconomic status was statistically controlled. Findings suggest that socioeconomic status, race, and sex remain important considerations when planning dental health education or other interventions.     

Impact of a periodontal course on oral hygiene and gingival health among senior dental students

This survey attempted to determine the impact of the periodontal course on oral hygiene and gingival health among 50 senior dental students. The course included the following: patient motivation, instruction in oval hygiene procedures and plaque control, scaling and curellage, temporary splinting and occlusal adjustment. Without advance notice, plaque deposits were scored using the Plaque Index and gingival health was determined using the Gingival Index. The results were collected at the beginning and at the end of the periodontal course (about 2 months). The results were analyzed using the paired t-test. No improvement of either oral hygiene or gingival health was noted at the end of the periodontal course. It seems that even some dental students, who should know the direct relationship between bacterial plaque and periodontal diseases and should be better motivated than the average patient, failed to demonstrate effective oral hygiene. It is difficult to expect an improvement of patient oral hygiene, when the patients have been motivated by students who are unable to perform satisfactory personal oral hygiene themselves. It is suggested that a greater emphasis be placed on patient motivation and instruction in oral hygiene throughout the dental curriculum.     

口腔健康行为的影响因素

个体的口腔健康行为直接影响到个体的口腔健康状况。而个体的口腔健康行为受个体因素、家庭因素和社会因素等的影响。口腔健康教育和口腔健康促进就是通过改善人群的口腔健康行为,达到改善人群的口腔健康状况的根本目的。所以,只有深刻认识口腔健康行为的各种影响因素,才能为更好地实施口腔健康教育和口腔健康促进提供依据。本文对口腔健康行为的影响因素作一综述。     

Effect of fear on dental utilization behaviors and oral health outcome

OBJECTIVES: This paper assesses the effect of fear on a number of dental utilization behaviors and oral heath outcome in a sample of adult Floridians. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted in 2004 among 504 adult Floridians. Data collected included sociodemographic factors, specific fear of dental pain (FDP), global FDP, global dental fear, three measures of dental utilization behaviors, and one measure of oral health outcome. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to quantify the individual and multivariate associations between fear factors and four behavior and outcome measures. RESULTS: Global FDP was significantly associated with putting off making a dental appointment and approach to dental treatment. Global dental fear showed an independent negative impact on all four behavior and outcome measures; reports regarding specific fear of painful dental events were not significantly associated with four behavior and outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that: (i) dental fear and FDP have independent negative effects on dental utilization behaviors and oral health outcome after controlling for other sociodemographic and general health factors; and (ii) global dental fear encompasses broader components than FDP.     

Effectiveness of primary school-based oral health education in West Java,Indonesia

A study in West Java has indicated that involvement of primary health care personnel and schoolteachers in oral health education (OHE) at primary schools is a feasible approach that is sustainable. AIM: The present study aims to assess the effects of that school-based OHE programme on pupils who had completed the programme one and a half years ago. METHODS: Eight experimental and six control primary schools in the same area participated in the study. Out of each school 10 children, aged 8-12-years old, were randomly selected. RESULTS: ANOVA with age and gender as co-variables showed statistically significantly lower (21%) habitual plaque scores among children from experimental schools as compared to those from control schools. Tooth brushing effectiveness had significantly improved among experimental children and they took longer for tooth brushing when supervised. The dmft/dmfs values were comparable but the DMFT/DMFS values of children from experimental schools tended to be lower (not statistically significant) than of those from control schools. Differences in oral health knowledge were apparent but self-reported habits pertaining to oral health were comparable between children from experimental and control schools. CONCLUSION: This school-based OHE programme had a moderate positive effect on oral health knowledge and on habitual plaque levels and on the effectiveness of tooth brushing. The effects on caries levels and on self-reported behaviour were inconclusive.     

To evaluate the comparative status of oral health practices,oral hygiene and periodontal status amongst visually impaired and sighted students

The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative status of oral health practices, oral hygiene, and periodontal status amongst visually impaired and sighted students. In this study, 142 visually impaired children from a blind school in the age group of 6–18 years were enrolled with a similar number of age and sex matched sighted students studying in different schools of Chandigarh. The outcome variables were oral hygiene practices, oral hygiene status, and periodontal status. The visually impaired had been found to have better oral hygiene practices, a nonsignificant difference of oral hygiene scores but a significantly high value for bleeding scores as compared to sighted students. Age wise comparisons showed that bleeding scores were highly significant in 9–11 years and 12–14 years age group as compared to 6–8 years and 15–18 years age group. It could be related that the increased prevalence of bleeding sites despite of better oral hygiene practices in visually impaired group might be the result of their handicap to visualize plaque.     

Relationship between oral health behaviors and general health behaviors in a Japanese adult population

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between oral health behaviors and general health behaviors in adults. METHODS: A total of 2,467 adults (1,208 men and 1,259 women aged 20-59 years) who consulted dentists in Chiba City were administered a questionnaire. RESULTS: Women, older participants, and those living with family had better health behaviors than the other subjects studied. Additive indices for oral and general health behaviors were significantly correlated. Toothbrushing frequency was significantly correlated with five items of general health behavior (smoking, drinking, exercise, eating breakfast, and having medical check-ups). Having dental check-ups was significantly correlated with having medical check-ups. There was a negative correlation between dental flossing and drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Of all oral health behaviors examined, toothbrushing frequency was the most predictive indicator of general health behavior.     

Effect of regular small group instruction per se on oral health status of Danish schoolchildren

A 1-year study of the isolated effect of an intensive motivation program aimed at improving the oral health status of 11-13-year-old schoolchildren was conducted in a Danish provincial town where all children have access to a free and comprehensive school oral health program. The effect was negligible as measured by epidemiologic indices.     

Family structure,socioeconomic position and utilization of oral health services among Nigerian senior secondary school pupils

Objective: To test the relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP), family composition, number of siblings, and birth position in the family, and the utilization of oral health services by senior secondary school pupils in Ile‐Ife, Nigeria. Methods: A cross‐sectional study design included senior secondary school pupils in the Central Local Government Area of Ile‐Ife during 2007/2008. Sample size calculation was performed and 1,200 pupils were invited to participate. A multistage, stratified sampling technique was used. Data collection included a self‐administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 76 percent (n = 1043). The mean age was 15.8 (standard deviation = 1.9) and 49 percent were males. Only 22.5 percent of pupils had ever visited a dentist in their lives. Results from multivariate analyses showed that pupils attending free schools, those paying 1 to 10,000 naira (equivalent to US$ 63.31) and 10,000 to 19,000 naira (equivalent to US$ 120.29) were respectively 1.93, 1.87, and 2.74 times less likely to have attended a dentist in the past than pupils in more expensive schools. Pupils living with single mothers or without a parent were unlikely to have visited the dentist. Number of siblings and birth position in the family were not associated with utilization of oral health services. Conclusions: Adolescents from families with a low SEP growing up without their parents may need extra incentives to visit dentist.     

Institutional barriers to providing oral health services for underserved populations in New York City

Objectives : We sought to explore institutional barriers to the provision of oral health services for the underserved among inner-city health centers. Methods : Mail-based survey of Medicaid-approved health centers in New York City without oral health services. The importance of four barrier categories was rated: resource issues, dental provider difficulties, referral problems, and low priority of dental care. Results : 36 health centers completed the survey. The most important barriers were resource issues (66.7% agreed), dental provider difficulties (29.4%), referral problems (24.2%), and low priority (15.2%). Top individual barriers were lack of start-up funds (88%), lack of physical space (74%), lack of available funding sources (71%), and low reimbursement rates for dental services (69%). Most centers (78%) identified a need for dental services for their patients. Conclusions : Access to oral health care remains a large problem for the underserved. Institutional barriers will need to be addressed to close the gap.     

Preventive oral health care use and oral health status among US children: 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health

Background

Research has identified significant gaps in preventive oral health care among certain subpopulations of US children. The authors of this study sought to estimate children’s preventive oral health care use and oral health and investigate associations with child, family, and health care characteristics.

Effect evaluation of an oral health education programme in primary schools in Tanzania

Abstract This study aimed to assess the clinical oral health outcome effects among schoolchildren participating in a school-based oral health education (OHE) programme. Local social, cultural and environmental conditions were determinants of the school-based OHE programme, which was compiled on the basis of prevailing beliefs and on what teachers and educational authorities considered to be important for the oral health of schoolchildren. Consequently, the practical aspects of oral hygiene and information on the cause and prevention of caries and gingivitis were the components of oral health education. The teachers were prepared to carry out weekly supervised toothbrushing sessions and monthly lessons on aspects of oral health for the school year in grade 4. Eight participating schools were selected for the clinical effect evaluation and four non-participating schools served as the control. In total, 309 children from the participating schools and 122 children from the non-participating schools were available for the evaluation. Their ages varied between 9 and 14 years. The mean plaque score, calculus score and gingival bleeding score at baseline and at follow-up examinations 3, 8, 15 and 36 months later were not significantly different for participating schools and controls. The mean DMFT value at baseline was 0.4 and 3 years later 0.9 in both the participating and control schools. In conclusion, the present study shows that the implemented school-based OHE programme did not result in significant reductions of the clinical parameters measured.