Amh. Syrjala et al., Dental self-efficacy as a determinant to oral health behaviour, oral hygiene and HbA1(c) level among diabetic patients, J CLIN PER, 26(9), 1999, pp. 616-621
Because of a mutual association between severity of periodontitis and poor
control of IDDM, regular dental visits and daily oral care are important am
ong diabetics. The aim was to develop a method for analysing dental self-ef
ficacy and to study the relationship between dental self-efficacy and repor
ted oral health behaviour and oral hygiene. The relationship between oral h
ealth behaviour and HbA1(c) level was also studied. Data were collected in
relation to 149 IDDM patients by means of a quantitative questionnaire, eva
luation of dental plaque and patient records. Results showed that tooth bru
shing self-efficacy, approximal cleaning self-efficacy and dental visiting
self-efficacy related to corresponding reported oral health behaviour (p<0.
0005). Visible plaque index (VPI) correlated inversely with tooth brushing
self-efficacy (r(s)= -0.208, p=0.012) and dental visiting self-efficacy (r(
s) = -0.240, p=0.004). Approximal cleaning self-efficacy correlated with ag
e (r(s)=0.225, p=0.006) and dental visiting self-efficacy was related to hi
gher professional level of education (p=0.009). Those having better tooth b
rushing self-efficacy (p=0.020), higher frequency of tooth brushing (p = 0.
032) and lower VPI (p<0.0005) had better HbAl(c) level. It was concluded th
at perception of dental self-efficacy plays a decisive role in relation to
oral health behaviour in diabetic patients, and that compliance with dental
recommendations is also related to HbAl(c) level.