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Combining self-management cues with incentives to promote interdental cleaning among Indian periodontal disease outpatients
Lhakhang, Pempa Hamilton, Kyra Sud, Nayantara Sud, Shonali Kroon, Jeroen Knoll, Nina Schwarzer, Ralf
Lhakhang, Pempa
Hamilton, Kyra
Sud, Nayantara
Sud, Shonali
Kroon, Jeroen
Knoll, Nina
Schwarzer, Ralf
Author
Lhakhang, Pempa
Hamilton, Kyra
Sud, Nayantara
Sud, Shonali
Kroon, Jeroen
Knoll, Nina
Schwarzer, Ralf
Hamilton, Kyra
Sud, Nayantara
Sud, Shonali
Kroon, Jeroen
Knoll, Nina
Schwarzer, Ralf
Abstract
Background Periodontal disease is a significant public health issue worldwide. Motivational techniques in combination with financial incentives are shown to lead to effective behavior change. The current study sought to examine whether a brief oral health promotion program (self-management cues that were based on self-efficacy and self-regulatory skills) in combination with an incentive (free dental treatment) would make a difference in the adoption of regular dental flossing in a population of Indian periodontal disease outpatients. Methods One hundred and twelve participants (n = 55 oral health promotion intervention group; n = 57 control group) were assigned to the intervention (self-management cues + incentive) or control groups, and follow-up assessments were performed three weeks later. Flossing frequency, behavioral intentions, and perceived self-efficacy served as dependent variables. Data were analyzed with mixed models, ANCOVAs, and path analyses. Results The intervention yielded effects on flossing frequency (p < 0.01) and flossing intentions (p < 0.01) at follow-up. Women developed stronger intentions than men. Moreover, by path analysis a sequential mediation chain was found that demonstrated an indirect effect of the intervention on flossing via self-efficacy and intentions: the intervention predicted changes in self-efficacy which, in turn, were associated with changes in intentions, predicting flossing frequency at follow up, while controlling for baseline behavior, gender, and age. Conclusions Combining incentives with minimal self-management cues has been found effective in improving interdental cleaning intentions and habits in periodontal disease patients, and the facilitating role of dental self-efficacy has been demonstrated.
Keywords
Dental cleaning, Flossing, Motivation, Self-efficacy, Intention, Incentives
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
BMC Oral Health
Book
Volume
16
Issue
6
Page Range
1-9
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
File Access
Controlled