| Review |
Knowledge level |
Oral hygiene behaviors |
Caries prevention |
Brown, 199450
OHP and OHE,
57 studies |
Most interventions are effective in increasing knowledge
in the short term, little evidence for longer-term effects.
(3 studies) |
One-on-one instruction, repeated contact, and participant
involvement lead to short-term improvement, but no longer-term effects.
(13 studies) |
Reduction in caries if target was use of fluoride-containing
product.
(3 studies) |
Kay, 199651
OHE, 37 studies |
Knowledge levels are consistently raised by interventions;
more effective interventions tended to be more expensive.
(14 studies) |
Plaque removal programs are generally effective in
short term, but no long-term benefits.
(15 studies) |
No evidence that dental health education interventions
affect caries levels.
(4 studies) |
Sprod, 199652
OHP, 70 studies |
Knowledge can be easily improved using many approaches,
but may fade, may need reinforcement. Has limited effect on behavior
change when used alone.
(NR) |
Behavior change is effected by active involvement,
repetition, and continued support. Most effective methods address
social, personal, environmental, and technical factors.
(NR) |
Very few studies, little evidence of long-term gain.
(NR) |
Kay, 199853
OHP, 164 studies |
Knowledge levels are invariably altered by interventions,
but alterations not related to changes in behavior or health.
(NR) |
Simple instruction alters behavior in short term,
reducing plaque levels; no lasting effect.
(20 RCTs) |
Meta-analysis indicates 1.8 surface reduction associated
with interventions increasing use of fluorides.
(7 RCTs) |
| Note: NR, number of studies not reported; OHP indicates
oral health promotion; OHE, oral health education; RCT, randomized controlled
trials.
|
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