Abstract
Objectives The aim was to compare oral hygiene practice (brushing/flossing) among 18 years old
from two regions, Hordaland County, Norway, and possible perceptional correlates using
the Health Belief Model.
Materials and Methods The participants from six municipalities from the south district with high prevalence
of dental caries to six municipalities from the rest of Hordaland county, with low
prevalence of dental caries (control), using a web-based questionnaire. Statistical
analyses: the Mann–Whitney U test was used and the t-test for independent samples. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses to examine
associations.
Results A total of 416 people participated. The south district’s participants had lesser
percentage brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, they significantly
visited lesser the dental service, perceived more susceptibility to dental caries,
and lower benefits of brushing/flossing compared with the controls. Girls (odds ratio
[OR]: 0.34) who perceived higher severity of dental caries (OR: 1.86), higher self-identity
(OR: 2.14), and lesser barriers to brushing (OR: 0.14) had higher odds to brushing
twice a day compared with their counterparts. Girls (OR: 0.34) who perceived higher
severity of dental caries (OR: 2.34), higher benefits (OR = 2.8), and lesser barriers
to flossing (OR = 0.23) had higher odds to flossing at least once a day compared with
their counterparts.
Conclusion South district’s participants significantly had some of risk factors to the recommended
brushing/flossing practice compared with the control and these might help in explaining
the difference in oral hygiene practice.
Keywords
oral hygiene practice - brushing - flossing - health belief model - 18 years old -
adolescence - Norway
