Health investment behaviours and oral/gingival health condition, a cross-sectional study among Swedish 19-year olds.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that certain individual, environmental and lifestyle factors are positively associated with beneficial health investment behaviours and oral/periodontal health among adolescents. METHODS: Five hundred and six randomly selected 19-year old subjects living in two different areas (Fyrbodal and Skaraborg) in the county council of Västra Götaland, Sweden participated in a clinical examination and answered questionnaires covering psycho-social and health behavioural issues. Two oral-health models were estimated with gingivitis score as an objective and self-perceived oral health as a subjective indicator. Three health- investment behaviour models were designed with indicators directly related to oral health and two with indicators related to general health as well. The explanatory variables included gender, upper secondary education programme, native country, living area, general self-efficacy and parents' education level. RESULTS: In the objective oral-health model, theoretical studies and living in the Skaraborg area were both positively associated with a lower gingivitis score. For the subjective oral-health indicator, none of the explanatory variables showed statistical significance. In the investment-behaviour model with 'tooth-brushing ≥ 2 times daily' as a health indicator, female gender and theoretical studies showed statistically significant associations. With the indicators 'no/few missed dental appointments', 'no tobacco use' and 'weekly exercise', theoretical studies were statistically significant and positively associated. In the investment model with 'perceived oral health care attention' as an indicator, a high score of general self-efficacy was significantly associated with the feeling of taking good care of the teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Individual, environmental and lifestyle factors are associated with young individuals' oral health investment behaviours and gingival health conditions.

A single session of motivational interviewing as an additive means to improve adherence in periodontal infection control: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of a single session of motivational interviewing (MI) on self-performed periodontal infection control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, examiner masked, controlled clinical trial of 6-month duration was performed involving 44 patients with chronic periodontitis, referred for periodontal treatment. At baseline, all subjects were examined concerning marginal gingival bleeding (MBI) and plaque (PI). Test subjects received a single MI-session before initiation of the periodontal treatment. Otherwise, all patients followed the same treatment protocol for conventional educational intervention and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Efficacy variables for evaluation of self-performed periodontal infection control were MBI (primary variable) and PI. RESULTS: The MI intervention resulted in a negligible decrease (3-4%) in MBI and PI that was not significantly different from the changes observed in the control group without any intervention. Neither was any additive effect of the initial MI-session found on the standard of oral hygiene subsequent to conventional treatment. A desirable MBI score of ≤20% at the end of treatment was associated with being a female patient, whereas high plaque scores at baseline counteracted a corresponding desirable final PI of ≤20%. CONCLUSION: A single freestanding MI session as a prelude to conventional periodontal treatment had no significant effect on the individuals' standard of self-performed periodontal infection control in a short-term perspective.

Oral health-related perceptions, attitudes, and behavior in relation to oral hygiene conditions in an adolescent population.

The aim was to analyze oral health-related perceptions, attitudes, and behavior in relation to oral hygiene conditions among 19-yr-old Swedish subjects. A random sample of 506 individuals was clinically examined regarding oral hygiene conditions and provided questionnaire-based information on oral health-related perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Higher scores of plaque and gingivitis were significantly related to the following perceptions: (i) a less favorable oral health situation, (ii) a lower satisfaction with the esthetic appearance of the teeth, (iii) more frequent gingival bleeding during toothbrushing, (iv) less favorable self-care of the teeth, (v) a lower possibility to impact on own oral health, (vi) a lower importance of cleaning the teeth, and (vii) a lower importance of good oral health conditions. More favorable oral hygiene conditions and more positive perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards oral health were found among female subjects than among male subjects. In conclusion, adolescents with high scores of plaque and gingivitis had less positive perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards oral health than those with more favorable oral hygiene conditions.

Socio-economic and lifestyle factors in relation to priority of dental care in a Swedish adolescent population.

The aim of this epidemiological survey was to describe and analyze oral health habits and life-style factors in relation to the priority of regular dental care in 19-year-old individuals with specific reference to gender, residential area and socio-economic grouping. The data were generated from a randomized sample of 758 (63%) individuals in three residential areas in Western Sweden (two rural, one urban) who answered a set of questionnaires prior to a dental examination. The analysis revealed that males had significantly less favourable oral health habits than females. Forty-one % of the males and 30% of the females did not plan regular dental visits after the age of 20 when they will be charged for the care (p = 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences in oral health habits and dental care priorities with regard to residential areas and socio-economic groups. In a multivariate model, three significant factors for the probability of "not planning for future regular dental visits" were identified: toothbrushing less than twice daily (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.28-2.94), smoking (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.10-2.56) and male gender (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.05-2.24). The findings emphasize the need for promotion of favourable oral health habits and smoking prevention among adolescents. There is also a need for dental personnel to recognize differences with regard to oral health-related attitudes and behaviours between males and females.

Periodontal health status in Swedish adolescents: an epidemiological, cross-sectional study.

The aim of this epidemiological survey was to analyze the periodontal conditions of 19-year old individuals in two rural county areas, i.e. Fyrbodal and Skaraborg, Västra Götaland, Sweden, with special reference to gender and socioeconomic grouping. A randomized sample of 506 individuals (Fyrbodal 250 and Skaraborg 256 individuals, respectively) was clinically examined with regard to oral hygiene, gingivitis, periodontal pockets and gingival recession. Bitewing radiographs were used for assessment of alveolar bone level (ABL) and dental calculus. A questionnaire-based interview regarding oral hygiene habits was included. A majority of the subjects (76%) claimed to brush their teeth at least twice a day, while interdental hygiene means were used daily by 4%. The subjects showed a mean plaque score of 47% and a gingivitis score of 56%. Forty-six % of the adolescents had a plaque score of > or = 50%, whereas the corresponding figure for gingivitis was 62%. The subjects had on average 5.5 teeth with facial gingival recession. The mean prevalence of sites with probing depth (PPD) of > or = 4 mm was 8, out of which 99% were located at proximal sites. A radiographic bone level of > 2 mm was observed at on average 0.4 teeth per subject. Logistic regression analyses revealed that gender (males) and county area (Fyrbodal) were significant factors for a high plaque and gingivitis score. There was no significant difference in periodontal conditions in relation to socio-economic grouping. In conclusion, the survey revealed higher prevalence of plaque and gingivitis among male than female adolescents, but no differences between socioeconomic groups.