An exploration of the relationship between attitudes and experiences of prevention and oral health behaviours of the public within six European countries

Objectives To survey the public’s self-reported attitudes and knowledge towards prevention in oral healthcare and to explore their relationship with tooth brushing frequency and frequency of dental visits.

Methods Adults (18+) were approached by email to complete a questionnaire about their attitudes and knowledge towards prevention in oral healthcare in UK, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Hungary. Tooth brushing frequency and dental attendance were assessed to see if there was an association with: cost, motivation, responsibility, advice received, personalised advice and knowledge.

Results 3372 participants were recruited. Participants who visited the dentist less often were more likely to see cost as a barrier, with the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the last visit being more than 2 years ago versus last visit less than one year ago being 2.58 (95% CI: 2.05 to 3.24). For both motivation and perceived responsibility to care for teeth/gums there was a relationship with frequency of brushing. Comparing those brushing ≥ twice-a-day to participants brushing less than once-a-day or never, the adjusted mean difference for the motivation score was − 1.18 (95% CI: -1.67 to − 0.68) and the aOR for perceived responsibility was 0.15 (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.25). Those who brushed their teeth less frequently were less likely to report receiving preventive advice, with the aOR for those brushing their teeth less than once-a-day or never compared to those who brush ≥ twice-a-day being 0.57 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.90). Participants who brushed their teeth less frequently (aOR of less than once-a-day or never versus ≥ to twice-a-day 0.50 (95% CI: 0.31 to 0.79)) or visited the dentist less frequently (aOR of 2 or more years ago versus less than one year ago 0.30 (95% CI: 0.23 to 0.38)) were less likely to agree their dental professional knows them well enough to provide personalised oral health advice.

Conclusions Self-reported frequent tooth brushing and regular dental visits correlated with higher motivation, responsibility, and personalized advice from dental professionals. Less regular dental visits were correlated with viewing cost as a barrier. Strengthening dentist-patient relationships and addressing barriers such as cost could further improve preventive dental behaviours and oral health outcomes. Demonstrating the successful use of a tool to allow for the first time multiple country exploration of the relationship between attitudes towards prevention and oral health behaviours.