The Effects of Oral Health Care Program by Applying the Protection Motivation Theory to Prevent Dental Caries among Students undergoing Orthodontic Treatment at Sirindhorn College of Public Health Chonburi Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effects of an oral health care program applying the Protection Motivation Theory to prevent dental caries among orthodontic students at Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Chonburi Province. A total of 30 participants joined the program, which was implemented over a 4-week period. Data were collected before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics including frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used, while differences within the experimental group were analyzed using the paired sample t-test.

Result: The results after the intervention showed that, the mean scores of the experimental group for dental caries, perceived severity, self-efficacy in caries prevention, response efficacy and preventive behaviors compared with pre-intervention scores .05 (p-value < .05).

Conclusion: The oral health care program applying the Protection Motivation Theory effectively enhanced perceptions and preventive behaviors regarding dental caries. Health agencies and individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment can implement this in the form of health promotion programs to apply it in their daily lives to enhance and maintain good oral health. Health agencies and individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment can implement this in the form of health promotion programs to apply it in their daily lives to enhance and maintain good oral health