Critérios adotados para a escolha da escova dental: estudo com consumidores de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina (Brasil)

Introduction and objective: To identify the criteria adopted by adult consumers when buying a toothbrush and to determine whether dentists influence on this choice. Material and methods: It was a transversal descriptive study through primary data collection. The target population consisted of consumers in a supermarket in the downtown of Florianópolis (SC, Brazil). An infinite population and an error of 5% were considered to the sample calculation. The selection of people was random. The inclusion criterion was being above 18 years old. A questionnaire structured in two parts with closed and open questions was applied. Data was submitted to statistical analysis through distribution of relative frequency. Results: Altogether, 409 people (54.65% male) participated in the survey, aged from 19 to 72 years, and the majority (28%) aged between 41 and 51 years. 41.1% visit the dentist at least once a year, and 52% change their toothbrushes every three months due to the wear of the bristles. A low percentage of people (25.6% male and 25.5% female) received orientation of the dentist on the toothbrush. The most adopted criterion for the acquisition of the toothbrush was the price (43.6%), and the participation of the dentist was cited by 10.5%, being more common for people of the higher socioeconomic class. Conclusion: For this group, price is the most adopted criterion for the acquisition of toothbrushes, and the influence of the dentist on this procedure is reduced.