Predictors of oral health promotion behaviors among elementary school children: Examination of an extended social cognitive theory

Background Brushing teeth with fluoride‐containing toothpaste and flossing are considered as effective solutions for preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases. Aim The aim of this study was to use the promoted social cognitive theory (SCT) to investigate factors influencing adherence to oral hygiene behaviors by elementary school children. Design In this cross‐sectional study, 988 elementary school children were chosen using the multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the SCT scale, and its validity and reliability were confirmed. Theoretical models were examined using the structural equation modeling. Results The SCT explained 50% of the variance in brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and 55.6% of the variance in flossing behaviors. The total effect of family environment (β = .60, P