Psychological approaches may improve oral hygiene behaviour

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Oral Health
• Psychology

Background:

• This review examines the effectiveness of psychological interventions in improving oral hygiene adherence among adults with gingivitis or periodontitis.
• Studies were included if they used psychological models, compared interventions to controls, and had at least 3 weeks of follow-up.

Discussion:

• Four low-quality randomized controlled trials involving 344 participants were identified.
• Interventions incorporated elements of Operant and Classical Conditioning, reinforcement, goal setting, and feedback.
• Heterogeneity in outcome measures and theoretical frameworks precluded meta-analysis.

Key Insights:

• Psychological interventions demonstrated improvements in plaque scores and self-reported brushing and flossing behaviors compared to control groups.
• One study showed decreased gingival bleeding but no significant changes in pocket depth or attachment loss.
• Improved self-efficacy for flossing was observed, but no effects on dental knowledge or tooth brushing self-efficacy.

Outlook:

• While psychological approaches show potential for behavior management in oral hygiene, current evidence is limited by study quality and intervention design weaknesses.
• Future research requires greater methodological rigor, focusing on practitioner-led interventions and robust theoretical underpinnings.