the role of self-efficacy and factors of health belief model in dental patients’ brushing and flossing

the role of self-efficacy and factors of health belief model in dental patients’ brushing and flossing    badri gargari r [1] , salek hadadian n [2]    received : 29 des , 2010 accepted: 13 feb , 2011   abstract:  background & aims: the self-efficacy and the health belief model (hbm) were utilized to understand brushing and flossing self-care in tabriz private dental clinics.  materials & methods: one hundred participants (50 males, 50 females) were selected with accessible sampling method from tabriz private dental clinics. in dental waiting rooms, dental patients completed a questionnaire assessing hbm variables and self-efficacy, as well as their performance of the oral hygiene behaviors of brushing and flossing. spss and amos were used for data analysis.  result: the results showed that the hbm with barriers emerging as the sole hbm factor influencing brushing. in addition, it was found that the significant predictors of flossing were barriers, susceptibility, and self-efficacy.  conclusion: according to research barriers predicted oral hygiene behavior (brushing), suggest that clinical interventions should target barrier reduction processes. also self-efficacy has predicted a range of health behaviors (flossing) therefore, dental professionals should encourage patients’ self-confidence to floss at recommended levels. keywords: health belief model, self-efficacy, brushing, flossing, susceptibility, barriers     address : psychology faculty, tabriz university of medical sciences, tabriz, iran   tel : (+98)9144051306   email : [email protected]     [1] assistance professor of educational psychology , tabriz university of medical sciences, tabriz, iran (corresponding author)  [2] ma student in psychology, islamic azad university, tabriz, iran