Research in Dental Health Education and Health Promotion: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This article presents a review of research in dental health education and health promotion. In the period 1982 to 1992, a total of 57 studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to alter individuals' behavior related to dental health were identified. Combining the results of these 57 studies with descriptive articles published over the same period, it appears that dental health education can result in improvements in objective measures of dental health behaviors and actual oral health measures, but has only limited success in changing attitudes towards dental issues and achieves only short-term gains in knowledge. The limited use of theoretical frameworks, poor statistical analyses, the use of convenient samples and the short post-intervention follow-up periods diminish the contribution of this research to the development of dental health policy and the formation of strategies to improve the health of communities.

Comparing tap water mouth rinse with tooth brushing and sugar-free chewing-gum: Investigating the validity of a popular belief

“…Oral Hyg. (Brown, 1994;Locker, 1996, 1998;Watt, 2005).The aforemention evidence implies that people have an inclination for easy ways to improve their oral health status. Modern lifestyle mandates short break times and quick meals for most of those who have outdoor occupations.…”

Prevention. Part 2: Dietary advice in the dental surgery

“…[1][2][3][4][5] This does not mean that there is no point in dentists providing dietary advice. Instead it highlights the need for better quality research into this area.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] However better quality evidence from randomised controlled trials with other primary health care professionals have highlighted the impact of dietary advice on changing dietary patterns. 6 Evidence-based guidelines now outline ways of helping patients improve their diets.…”

Determining the DMFT index and its correlation with the Blood Sugar and HbA1c levels in type II diabetic patients in Ahvaz at 2016-2017

“…Knowledge about susceptibility to periodontal disease, dry mouth and prevention of oral and dental problems as well as effective management of these conditions is very important for people with diabetes (27). Studies have shown that improved knowledge about oral health and dental prerequisite for self-care behaviors (18,27,28).…”

“…Knowledge about susceptibility to periodontal disease, dry mouth and prevention of oral and dental problems as well as effective management of these conditions is very important for people with diabetes (27). Studies have shown that improved knowledge about oral health and dental prerequisite for self-care behaviors (18,27,28). Insufficient knowledge of oral health (Such as ignoring warning signs and symptoms of oral disease) may increase the risks associated with oral health or cause the patient's diabetes self-care behavior very oral health teeth do not matter (29,30).…”