THE EFFECT OF EDUCATION BASED ON HEALTH BELIEF MODEL (HBM) IN DECREASING DENTAL PLAQUE INDEX AMONG FIRST GRADE OF MIDDLE- SCHOOL GIRL STUDENTS IN HAMADAN

Oral-dental health behaviors education to students is an important subject in the
school to prevent dental problems. The use of suggested educational models and theories is a new way
in health service fields. This study was done to determine the effect of health education based on HBM
on the decreasing of dental plaque index among first grade of middle - school girl students in
Hamadan.
Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 120 students were chosen through the
stratified random sampling which were in 2 schools and 6 classrooms, and they were placed in the
experimental (n=60) and control groups (n=60). Data collection tool was a questionnaire based on
HBM constructs (perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy) , knowledge,
dental health behaviors and determine dental plaque by disclosing agent. The educational intervention
included 4 educational sessions of 60 minutes.Two months after intervention, two groups were
followed, and the data were analyzed by using SPSS16.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic factors in two groups.
Significant differences were observed in perceived severity (P<0.001), perceived barriers (P<0.001),
self efficacy (P<0.001), perceived benefits (P=0.015), knowledge, health behaviors and dental plaque
index between the two groups after intervention (P<0.001). There was no statistical significant
difference between the two groups in perceived susceptibility (P=0.095). Finally, the optimal
performance as well as decreasing dental plaque index was shown in experimental group comparing to
control group.
Conclusion: Findings showed that educational intervention based on HBM may be an effective
method for promoting oral - dental health behaviors and decreasing dental plaque index in students.