title: Effect of an instructional motivation program on oral health in Danish adolescents after 1 and 2 years.
abstract: A 2-year study of the isolated effect of an intensive motivation program in the oral health of 11--15-year-old schoolchildren was carried out in a Danish provincial town. The motivation program consisted of small-group sessions during which maximum effort was made to obtain active engagement from the children. After 1 year the experimental group was supplemented with two new groups of children who in addition to the motivation participated in a competition on dental hygiene. The effect of the motivational program on knowledge and behavior was evaluated. While the program seemed to result in a reinforcement of the already existing positive attitude, the cognitive level was only slightly improved and no change in behavior resulting in improved oral health was registered.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003718:Denmark; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009909:Oral Health; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013997:Time Factors