A strategy for encouraging young adults' adoption of a preferred oral hygiene technique.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
In Part 1, two randomly selected classes (49 female students, mean age 19.8 + or - 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.


RESULTS
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 u 0.001), both after 3 months (90%) and after 9 months (82%).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Reinhardt
Claus H
CH
Ludwig-Erhard Vocational School, Bonn Kölnstr. 235, D-53117 Bonn, Germany. drcreinhar@aol.com
Noack
Michael J
MJ
Wassmer
Gernot
G
Hurrelmann
Klaus
K
Klein
Klaus
K
D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010379:Peer Group; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult