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- Title
A Strategy for Encouraging Young Adults' Adoption of a Preferred Oral Hygiene Technique.
- Authors
Reinhardt, Claus H.; Noack, Michael J.; Wassmer, Gernot; Hurrelmann, Klaus; Klein, Klaus
- Abstract
Adherence to dental preventive programmes in young adults is low. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to evaluate whether tutoring peers can be a compliance-enhancing tool or not. In Part 1, two randomly selected classes (49 female students, mean age 19.8 ± 2.3 years) were taught adult toothbrushing technique (the modified Bass technique) in a project-like manner. After the course, knowledge was tested using a class test, and compliance was evaluated using anonymous quantitative questionnaires. Compliance was defined as a reported degree of change from the easy-to-learn childhood toothbrushing techniques to the more efficient and challenging Bass technique. In Part 2 of the present longitudinal study, the compliance of these students was re-evaluated after having developed and applied themselves a programme of how to tutor peers in oral health. Re-evaluation of compliance was performed after 3 and 9 months. In Part 1, 28.5% of the students were compliant after 1 week. Compared with Part 1, the compliance in Part 2 was significantly higher (P ⩽ 0.001), both after 3 months (90%) and after 9 months (82%). Tutoring peers can significantly enhance the compliance over a period of 9 months. Tutoring can function as a form of empowerment and can establish a strong sustained health engagement. Tutoring peers in health-related subjects can readily be implemented in schools and might be an additional means of oral health promotion with fewer additional costs.
- Subjects
HEALTH education; TOOTH care &; hygiene; ORAL hygiene; DENTAL prophylaxis; PEER teaching
- Publication
Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry, 2010, Vol 8, Issue 1, p3
- ISSN
1602-1622
- Publication type
Article