Changes in dental knowledge and self-efficacy scores following interventions to change oral hygiene behavior

One hundred twenty-three male veterans were randomly assigned to control, education, and psychological groups to improve oral hygiene behavior. The educational group received four 40-min sessions designed to increase knowledge of the causes and prevention of dental disease. The psychological intervention also consisted of four 40-min sessions. However, a psychologist provided the intervention using a Stage of Change intervention. The control group received pre- and post-testing only. There were no significant changes in dental knowledge for the control group while the increases in dental knowledge in the educational and psychological groups were similar and statistically significant. Pre-Post change scores for flossing self-efficacy scores showed significant changes for all groups. The magnitude of changes was similar when the control and educational groups were compared. In contrast, the psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly greater flossing self-efficacy changes when compared to either the control or the educational groups. These results suggest that increases in self-efficacy may be an important component of interventions designed to change health behavior and may serve a role in evaluating and comparing the efficacy of these interventions.