Behavioral models for periodontal health and disease

The oral health-related behavior of patients with periodontal disease is a critical determinant of their health. Psychological models of behavior provide a framework for the design of interventions to enhance oral health-related behavior. This article reviews published manuscripts on interventions to enhance oral health-related behavior, classifying the nature of the interventions according to current psychological models of behavior. Fifteen manuscripts reporting the findings of 14 studies were identified and reviewed. The present article concludes that, based on current evidence, the key elements of effective interventions are: goal setting, planning the behavior change, and self-monitoring.