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- Title
Self-Control and Self-Confidence: Their Relationship to Self-Rated Oral Health Status and Behaviours.
- Authors
Dumitrescu, Alexandrina L.; Dogaru, Beatrice C.; Dogaru, Cristian D.
- Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between self-control and self-confidence, and students' self-rated oral health and oral-health-related behaviours. Materials and Methods: The present study sample consisted of 178 first-year medical students. The questionnaire that was used in this study included information about sociodemographic factors, behavioural factors, self-reported oral health status, self-control and self-confidence. Results: The results showed that mean levels of self-confidence in individuals with current extracted teeth and with poor/very poor perceived gingival condition were statistically significant and lower than those with no current extracted teeth and with self-rated excellent gingival health (P < 0.05). Also participants with self-reported gingival bleeding showed lower values of self-control compared with those with healthy non-bleeding gingiva (P < 0.05). When oral health behaviour was evaluated, it was shown that students with higher scores of self-control were more likely to use everyday mouthrinses (P < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analyses showed, for self-rated oral and gingival health status as dependent variable, a strong association with students' self-confidence level (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results support the view that self-confidence is related with oral health status, and individuals with impaired oral and gingival health have a low self-confidence level.
- Publication
Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry, 2009, Vol 7, Issue 2, p155
- ISSN
1602-1622
- Publication type
Academic Journal