title: The persuasive power of oral health promotion messages: a theory of planned behavior approach to dental checkups among young adults.
abstract: Although routine dental checkups are important for both oral and overall health, several factors influence young adults' use or nonuse of dental services. The two studies included in this report tested the theory of reasoned action (TRA), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and an expanded TPB model in predicting young adults' routine dental checkups. Additionally, the study tested the perceived message effectiveness of TPB-based messages. Results support the use of an expanded TPB model (particularly adding satisfaction with the dentist and environmental constraints to the traditional model) for an understanding of routine dental checkup intention and behavior, and, most notably, provide support for the use of subjective norm-based messages to prompt dental checkups. This study lays the groundwork for a health communication campaign encouraging routine dental checkups among young adults. The use of targeting and tailoring to design effective oral health media campaign messages is discussed.
authors: Department of Communication, Costal Carolina University, 133 W. Chanticleer Drive, Edwards College of Humanitres and Fine Arts, Conway, SC 29528-6054, USA. canderso@costal.edu
authors: Christina N
authors: CN
authors: Anderson
authors: Seth M
authors: SM
authors: Noar
authors: Brandi D
authors: BD
authors: Rogers
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education; D011582:Psychological Theory; D055815:Young Adult