Background: Brushing teeth with fluoride-containing toothpaste and flossing are considered as effective solutions for preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Aim: The aim of this study was to use the promoted social cognitive theory (SCT) to investigate factors influencing adherence to oral hygiene behaviors by elementary school children.
Design: In this cross-sectional study, 988 elementary school children were chosen using the multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the SCT scale, and its validity and reliability were confirmed. Theoretical models were examined using the structural equation modeling.
Results: The SCT explained 50% of the variance in brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and 55.6% of the variance in flossing behaviors. The total effect of family environment (β = .60, P < .05), self-efficacy in overcoming impediments (β = .50, P < .05), and emotional coping (β = .40, P < .05) variables in the conceptual model had significantly influenced tooth brushing behavior. The total effect of self-efficacy (β = .79, P < .05), family environment (β = .41, P < .05), and situational perception (β = .35, P < .05) variables of the conceptual model significantly influenced the flossing behavior.
Conclusions: The SCT, self-efficacy, and family environment were strongly associated with brushing and flossing behaviors. Therefore, supportive family environments should be considered as one of the top contributors to successful oral health promotion.
Keywords: brushing teeth; flossing teeth; oral health; primary school children; social cognitive theory; structural equation modeling.
© 2020 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.