Abstract
Consistent evidence affirms that the main etiology of periodontal diseases is the formation and persistence of bacterial biofilms on dental surfaces. Collaboration on the part of the patient in the daily disruption of this biofilm is a critical factor in attaining long-term success with periodontal treatment.
It is therefore of utmost importance that effective interventions are designed to improve patients' adherence to a type of oral hygiene control capable of promoting periodontal health.
Gingival health is therefore dependent to a large extent on the individual's oral health behavior and is not merely a consequence of a clinical intervention in a consultation context. Dental hygiene behavior change requires not only basic oral health knowledge, but has also been shown to depend on motivational processes promoting intention formation and post-intentional or volitional processes promoting behavior initiation and maintenance. Hence, theory-based interventions are sorely needed in order to deepen our understanding of the psychological mechanisms that might increase behavior changes that impact on periodontal health and to develop evidence-based interventions.
