Evaluating mechanisms of change in an oral hygiene improvement trial with older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This paper compares the relationship between theoretically-driven mechanisms of change and clinical outcomes across two different interventions to improve oral hygiene of older adults participating in a group randomized trial.

Methods

Six low-income senior residences were paired and randomized into two groups. The first received a face to face counseling intervention (AMI) and the second, a peer-facilitated health campaign (three oral health fairs). Both were based on Fishbein's Integrated Model. 331 participants were recruited at baseline and 306 completed the post-assessment one month after intervention. Clinical outcomes were Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque score (PS), collected by calibrated dental hygienists. Surveys obtained data on patient background charact

SUBMITTER: Schensul J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8293549 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature