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Stomatologija 2010; 12 (1): 3-9 212 KB

Theory-based oral health education in adolescents

Vilma Brukiene, Jolanta Aleksejuniene

Summary

Objectives. The aims were to overview the previous use of psychological theories for oral health education in adolescents and to discuss current approaches which could enhance the effectiveness of behaviour modification in this age group. Material. The MEDLINE via OVID database was searched for relevant papers published during the last four decades. Results. Only a few studies using psychological models and theories in oral health education for adolescents could be found and these studies were carried out a few decades ago. It was shown that socially disadvantaged adolescents, i.e. those who have the greatest need for improvements in oral health, might benefit most from the theory-based behavioural interventions. However, evidence from these trials can not be directly used to base oral health education in contemporary adolescents. An important consideration is that psychological models and theories developed for adults may not apply as well to adolescents, who are at different stages of behavioural development and with different cognitive abilities. Conclusions. Understanding the adolescent profile in oral health education appears to be crucial for success. The theory-based approaches to health behaviour modification, already successfully applied in other fields of medicine, might be a good alternative to conventional oral health promotion in adolescents.

Key words: oral health education, adolescents, parenting, theory-based behavioural intervention.

Received: 11 09 2009

Accepted for publishing: 26 03 2010

¹Institute of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

²Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia, Canada

Vilma Brukiene¹ – D.D.S., PhD

Jolanta Aleksejuniene² – D.D.S., M.Sc., PhD

Address correspondence to Dr. Vilma Brukiene, Zalgirio str. 117, Vilnius 08217, Lithuania.

E-mail: vilma.brukiene@mf.vu.lt



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

March, 2010, Vol. 12, No. 1 CONTENTS REVIEW Theory-based oral health education in adolescents Vilma Brukiene, Jolanta Aleksejuniene 3-9 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES Oral health and quality of life in Norwegian and Russian school children: A pilot study Natalia Koposova, Eeva Widström, Martin Eisemann, Roman Koposov, Harald M. Eriksen 10-16 The effect of prednisolone on reduction of complaints after impacted third molar removal Janne Tiigimae-Saar, Edvitar Leibur, Tiia Tamme 17-22 Retrospective analysis of cellulitis of the floor of the mouth Linas Zaleckas, Ruta Rasteniene, Jurate Rimkuviene, Rimante Seselgyte 23-27 Functional activity of rabbit salivary glands in reduced and restored regional arterial blood supply conditions Kaspars Stamers, Andrejs Skagers, Kalvis Pastars, Nonna Tomisheva, Maija Ratniece 28-32 © 2010 Stomatologija		Stomatologija 2010; 12 (1): 3-9 212 KB Theory-based oral health education in adolescents Vilma Brukiene, Jolanta Aleksejuniene Summary Objectives. The aims were to overview the previous use of psychological theories for oral health education in adolescents and to discuss current approaches which could enhance the effectiveness of behaviour modification in this age group. Material. The MEDLINE via OVID database was searched for relevant papers published during the last four decades. Results. Only a few studies using psychological models and theories in oral health education for adolescents could be found and these studies were carried out a few decades ago. It was shown that socially disadvantaged adolescents, i.e. those who have the greatest need for improvements in oral health, might benefit most from the theory-based behavioural interventions. However, evidence from these trials can not be directly used to base oral health education in contemporary adolescents. An important consideration is that psychological models and theories developed for adults may not apply as well to adolescents, who are at different stages of behavioural development and with different cognitive abilities. Conclusions. Understanding the adolescent profile in oral health education appears to be crucial for success. The theory-based approaches to health behaviour modification, already successfully applied in other fields of medicine, might be a good alternative to conventional oral health promotion in adolescents. Key words: oral health education, adolescents, parenting, theory-based behavioural intervention. Received: 11 09 2009 Accepted for publishing: 26 03 2010 ¹Institute of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania ²Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia, Canada Vilma Brukiene¹ – D.D.S., PhD Jolanta Aleksejuniene² – D.D.S., M.Sc., PhD Address correspondence to Dr. Vilma Brukiene, Zalgirio str. 117, Vilnius 08217, Lithuania. E-mail: vilma.brukiene@mf.vu.lt