Preview

PDF Restricted - Request a copy 183Kb

Aim: Regular dental flossing has been widely recommended to prevent periodontal diseases. Nevertheless, compliance is below a desirable level. This study evaluates the effects of a brief behavioural intervention on dental flossing and determines whether the effects of such an intervention are stronger in a specific subgroup of individuals (those intending to floss regularly5implemental mindset). Materials and Method: Behavioural intervention (planning when, where and how to floss) trial was conducting with 194 participants assigned to an intervention or a control group by a random time schedule; the primary outcome was validated self-report of flossing behaviour. Follow-up data were collected 2 and 8 weeks post-intervention. Results: Individuals receiving the planning intervention significantly outperformed those in the control condition at both the 2- and the 8-week follow-up (4.24 times flossing/week versus 3.9 at 2 weeks; 4.02 versus 2.98 at 8 weeks). Intervention effects were stronger in individuals in the implemental mindset. Dropout rates were higher for participants who received the planning intervention but were not in the implemental mindset. Conclusion: Planning interventions are an economic and effective way to change oral self-care behaviour, and are more effective in individuals in an implemental mindset.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	behavioural intervention; compliance; oral hygiene; oral self-care; planning; prevention
Research Division:	Psychology
Research Group:	Clinical and health psychology
Research Field:	Health psychology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:	Dental health
UTAS Author:	Schuez, BEC (Dr Benjamin Schuez)
UTAS Author:	Mallach, N (Dr Natalie Schuez)
ID Code:	75062
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	45
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2012-01-06
Last Modified:	2014-12-03
Downloads:	1 View Download Statistics