Barriers and facilitators to achieving optimal oral health behaviours in university students

There is little research regarding how oral health behaviours in young adults change during their time at university. Engaging in behaviours that increase the risk of oral health diseases may have life-long consequences in this demographic, including their oral health and overall well-being. This study aimed to understand the oral health behaviours of university students - including toothbrushing, flossing, sugar consumption and dental visits - and explore the barriers and facilitators that influenced the establishment and maintenance of optimal oral health behaviours.

Participants were recruited across the University of Manchester through emails, university websites, and posters. Subsequently, qualitative semi-structured interviews based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) were conducted with 21 students comprising a mix of males and females aged between 18 and 24 years old, in their first year of university.

Employing a deductive approach, the participant's statements were systematically categorised into the 14 domains within the TDF. Five intervention functions outlined in the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW), and 23 Behavioural Change Techniques (BCTs) were deemed pertinent and recognised within the context of this study. Primary obstacles that hindered the adoption of ideal oral health behaviours encompassed limited knowledge, physical and cognitive fatigue, busy schedules during exam periods, financial constraints impacting the purchase of dental products and healthy dietary choices and the cost of private dental treatment. Conversely, factors that facilitated the adoption of optimal oral health behaviours included positive intentions, strong and steadfast goals, and beliefs surrounding consequences.

The outcome of this qualitative study provided valuable information regarding the barriers and facilitators to achieving optimal oral health behaviours in young adults at university. This facilitated the identification and recognition of areas necessitating further support for this population and pinpointed the required areas for change. By utilising the TDF and BCW, tailored interventions can be designed to address oral health behaviours. The gathered data directly informs the development of future behaviour change interventions, targeting improvements in oral health and general health behaviours in this population.