title: Oral hygiene-related self-efficacy as a predictor of oral hygiene behaviour: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess whether oral hygiene-related self-efficacy is correlated with current oral hygiene and might influence the outcome of oral hygiene instruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hundred and twenty-six patients filled out questionnaires about oral hygiene-related self-efficacy, general self-efficacy, oral hygiene-related knowledge and demographic variables. Plaque and gingival inflammation were measured and an individual oral hygiene plan was conducted. After 6 months, oral hygiene indices were assessed again.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women had significantly higher scores in oral hygiene-related self-efficacy than men (women mean 60.40 ± 9.41; men mean 56.04 ± 11.55; p = 0.039) and oral hygiene-related self-efficacy was significantly correlated with general self-efficacy independent from the age of the patients (r = 0.3114, p = 0.0004). Higher scores in oral hygiene-related self-efficacy were significantly correlated with lower scores of gingival bleeding for non-smoking patients (r = -0.301, p = 0.0066), usage of a professional tooth cleaning within these 6 months (p = 0.0406), reappearance to the follow-up appointment (p = 0.0303), and higher goals in inter-dental cleaning plans (p = 0.0189).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral hygiene-related self-efficacy is an influencing factor in the oral hygiene behaviour and has the potential to predict patients' oral hygiene outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
authors.forename: Johan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Woelber
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bienas
authors.forename: Goetz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabry
authors.forename: Waltraud
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Silbernagel
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giesler
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tennert
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stampf
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ratka-Krüger
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hellwig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: gingivitis; motivation; periodontitis; plaque; self-efficacy