SAS 9: DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION CONCEPTS

dental health education

this is done so that people will adopt whatever they have in their everyday living

the process that informs, motivates and helps people to adopt and maintain health practices and lifestyle to keep the mouth or oral cavity healthy

basic concepts of dental health education

cognitive model

behavioral learning model

self-care motivation model

contemporary community health model

cognitive model

assuming this leads to improved behavior

acknowledges pre-existing oral health practices 

assumes knowledge automatically changes behavior

can increase awareness and knowledge of oral health

education programs aim to increase dental knowledge

believes behavior is learned by the person, not just transmitted

failing to assess learner’s knowledge level or capacity to accept information

education programs designed to improve knowledge and thus influence behavior

3 sequences that the cognitive model assumes

knowledge —> attitude —> behavior change

external factors that can influence how a person behaves

occupation

mass media

family, peers

culture, religion

educational background

access to various health-related resources

socio-economic factors (income, political factors, environmental stressors)

internal factors that can influence how a person behaves

values, needs

attitude, interests

knowledge, beliefs

motives, expectations

perceptions, adaptation skills

physiological & genetic make-up

behavioral learning model

risk of “blaming the victim

may lose effectiveness without rewards

advocates daily practice to master skills

focuses on lifestyle behaviors impacting health

dental diseases often perceived as “not serious”

encourages responsibility for health improvement

recognizes individual differences (cognitive, emotional, motor, social)

learning is influenced by social, economic, cultural, and political factors

persuades individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and preventive services

learners are guided with prescribed tasks and positive reinforcement to build habits

can develop consistent health habits if learners are motivated and practice regularly

4 factors influence an individual to practice preventive dental procedures by Rosenstock and Kegeles

they must attach a certain importance to dental health

they must believe that dental disease can be prevented

individuals must feel that they are susceptible to dental diseases

they must perceive dental disease as a serious consequence

4 stages for behavioral model change

pre-contemplation stage

contemplation stage

action stage

maintenance stage

[ these model and process is circular in nature. so, a person can move only to the next stage if he/she is ready to try again so that it would be better if we can make the learning process a pleasant one ]

pre-contemplation stage

this represents a time during which a person is not actively thinking of changing a particular behavior

contemplation stage

when a person begins to think about behavioral change.

it is during this period that he/she may think, read, or talk to others about changing a behavior, in preparation for taking the actual steps to change behaviors

action stage

refers to the time when the person will take the steps in changing the behavior

it is during this period that the person will need the support for their change, which may include training or education or the support from family and friends

maintenance stage

reinforces might be needed to monitor their behavior

when the person attempts to continue the behavioral change

at this period, it would be better to identify factors that may tempt the person to relapse

3 major types of behavioral learning theories

classical conditioning

operant conditioning

observational learning

classical conditioning

wherein a neutral stimulus is associated with a natural response or in other words a stimulus can elicit a response

operant conditioning

positive reinforcement is the best example for this type

a learning method that will respond through rewards and punishment or is increased or decreased caused by reinforcement or punishment

observational learning

which occurs through the observation process and imitation of others

self-care motivation model

Proposed by Horowitz and associates

considers emotions, feelings, physical conditions

emphasizes awareness, values, choice, and action 

links health improvement with personal goal-setting

success depends on internal feedback and goal setting

promotes personal choice, critical self-governing behavior, and self-efficacy

whole-person approach; effective framework for long-term positive behavior change

Not all individuals achieve high self-awareness or self-regulation needed for success

uses principles of social, psychological, and behavioral sciences to encourage self-care

effective for addressing non-compliance and promoting long-term behavior change among children and adults

contemporary community health model

uses media-based oral health campaigns

emphasizes community organization and development

empowers communities with health information and technologies

requires public involvement to identify health problems and create solutions

success heavily depends on external resources, organizations, and sponsorships

empowers and mobilizes communities sustainable through group participation and external support

Empowers and mobilizes communities; sustainable through group participation and external support

supported by PDA, local chapters, LGUs, private companies (e.g., Colgate Bright Smiles, Lamoiyan, ACS)

government public health infrastructure

media

community

education sector

government agencies

employers and business

clinical care deliver system

educators aside from the dentists

school nurse

dental clinicians

school teachers

members of the family who have the knowledge