An educational intervention using the health belief model for improvement of oral health behavior in grade-schoolers: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Oral health problems especially dental caries are common in school children, and education programs may help to prevent these conditions. The aim of current study was to examine the effects of an educational program based on a Health Belief Model (HBM) to improve oral health behaviors of elementary school children. Methods A total of 112 children ages 6–12 years old accompanied by one of their parents were randomly assigned to intervention/test and control groups. In the intervention group, five consecutive weekly educational sessions based on the HBM were provided, while the control group received only routine education delivered by the dental clinic. The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score, papillary bleeding index, and responses to the HBM questionnaire were assessed in the intervention and control groups at baseline and three-month follow-up after the intervention was completed. Within-group and between-group differences were examined using the Student’s t-test and analysis of covariance. Results All HBM domains were improved at follow-up in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The largest change was in perceived susceptibility, whereas the smallest changes were in perceived severity and perceived benefits. The papillary bleeding index demonstrated a significant change from baseline to follow-up in the intervention group (reduction of 0.7, 95% CI = − 0.9 to − 0.5). All components of the DMFT score except missing teeth also improved in the intervention group compared to controls. However, no significant difference was found in total DMFT score between intervention and control groups. Conclusion An education program based on HBM may be more effective than current methods used to educate children and their parents on optimal oral health behaviors. Administration of interventions of this type along with other school-based programs to prevent dental caries may be helpful in grade-school children.

Effect of training based on health belief model and behavioral intention on improving dental and oral self-care behavior in 9–12-year-old Iranian female students

“…The present study aimed to improve dental and oral health behaviors in Iranian female students aged 9-12 years old by performing a training program based on the health belief model and behavioral intention. The comparison of mean scores of the health belief model structures before and after the intervention showed a significant difference between the mean scores of the intervention and control groups, which was in line with the results of Sanaeinasab et al, (2022) [ 28 ], Jeihooni et al, (2022) [ 29 ], Noori Sistani et al, (2022) [ 30 ]. An HBM-based training program can be more effective than the programs currently used for training optimal health behaviors in children.…”

“…An HBM-based training program can be more effective than the programs currently used for training optimal health behaviors in children. Such interventions along with other school programs for tooth decay prevention can be useful for primary school children [ 28 ]. Shaghaghian suggested interventional methods, especially training programs for children and parents [ 31 ].…”

Pointers to Interventions for Promoting COVID-19 Protective Measures in Tourism: A Modelling Approach Using Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale, Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Health Belief Model

“…The TPB has mostly been applied for pro-environmental behaviour ( Gholamrezai et al, 2021 ). The Health Belief Model was used, e.g., for the improvement of oral health behaviour ( Sanaeinasab et al, 2022 ), condom use ( Montanaro and Bryan, 2014 ), helmet use ( Quine et al, 1998 ), and preventive behaviour analysis against sunlight ( Moradhaseli et al, 2019 ). A combination of TPB and HBM is used as a research framework for rural dwellers’ intention to adopt sustainable water management ( Aliabadi, 2020 ).…”

Theory-based behavioral change interventions to improve periodontal health

“…Improvement in oral hygiene, measured by plaque score ( 28 , 29 ) and simplified oral hygiene index ( 30 ), was also found in three randomized controlled trials. Two other randomized controlled trials involving school-aged children found significant improvements in gingival inflammation, reflected by the papillary bleeding index ( 31 ) and bleeding on probing ( 28 ).…”