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Effects of a short behavioural intervention for dental flossing: randomized‐controlled trial on planning when, where and how
Author(s) -
Schüz Benjamin,
Wiedemann Amelie U.,
Mallach Natalie,
Scholz Urte
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.2009.01406.x
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , medicine , intervention (counseling) , dentistry , physical therapy , nursing
Abstract Aim: Regular dental flossing has been widely recommended to prevent periodontal diseases. Nevertheless, compliance is below a desirable level. This study evaluates the effects of a brief behavioural intervention on dental flossing and determines whether the effects of such an intervention are stronger in a specific subgroup of individuals (those intending to floss regularly=implemental mindset). Materials and Method: Behavioural intervention (planning when, where and how to floss) trial was conducting with 194 participants assigned to an intervention or a control group by a random time schedule; the primary outcome was validated self‐report of flossing behaviour. Follow‐up data were collected 2 and 8 weeks post‐intervention. Results: Individuals receiving the planning intervention significantly outperformed those in the control condition at both the 2‐ and the 8‐week follow‐up (4.24 times flossing/week versus 3.9 at 2 weeks; 4.02 versus 2.98 at 8 weeks). Intervention effects were stronger in individuals in the implemental mindset. Dropout rates were higher for participants who received the planning intervention but were not in the implemental mindset. Conclusion: Planning interventions are an economic and effective way to change oral self‐care behaviour, and are more effective in individuals in an implemental mindset.