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Effects of a short behavioural intervention for dental flossing: randomized-controlled trial on planning when, where
Benjamin Schüz1, Amelie U Wiedemann, Natalie Mallach
1Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen (German Centre of Gerontology), Manfred-von-Richthofen-Str. 2 Berlin 12101, Germany. benjamin.schuez@dza.de
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 regularly=implemental 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.
