Changes in dental knowledge and self-efficacy scores following interventions to change oral hygiene behavior

One hundred twenty-three male veterans were randomly assigned to control, education, and psychological groups to improve oral hygiene behavior. The educational group received four 40-min sessions designed to increase knowledge of the causes and prevention of dental disease. The psychological intervention also consisted of four control group received pre- and post-testing only. There were no significant changes in dental knowledge for the control group while the increases in dental knowledge in the educational an psychological groups were similar and statistically significant. Pre- Post change scores for flossing self-efficary scores showed significant changes for all groups. The magnitude of changes was similar when the control and educational groups were compared. In contrast, the, psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly greater flossing self-efficacy changes when an important component of interventions designed to change health behavior and may serve a role in evaluating and comparing the efficacy of these interventions.