DIMENSIONALITY OF DENTAL-HEALTH BEHAVIOR

The purpose of this study was to assess whether nine selected dental-h ealth behaviors could be described in terms of several distinct behavi or domains. The data stem from a survey performed on a sample of 970 a dolescents in Norway. A principal component analysis provided support for the contention that the dental-health behaviors constitute two sep arate dimensions. External variables correlated differently with two s um scores derived from the two factors, confirming the existence of tw o distinct behavior patterns. Interpreting dental- health behaviors as reflecting two distinct behavioral domains should be considered in th e planning of dental-health education programs.