An overview of oral health promotion in adolescents

The aim of this study was to overview the effectiveness of different strategies used to promote oral health in adolescents. A search of the MEDLINE via OVID database was performed through September 2007. The studies aiming to modify oral health-related lifestyle in adolescents with experimental pre- to post-test controlled study design were targeted. Oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, oral hygiene status, gingival health, and caries status were used as outcome measures for the evaluation of changes in adolescent oral health-related behaviour. All studies evaluating knowledge showed cognitive gains. Only slight or no improvement in attitude was reported. The average improvement in oral hygiene was 30-50%. A wide range 0-50% of the effects on gingival health was presented. However, the relapse in oral hygiene status towards baseline values was also observed. Only studies employing professionally applied preventive measures in conjunction with educational activities reported significantly lower caries incidence. The limited success of the behavioural interventions and the lack of diversity in methods used do not allow identification of the best ways to promote oral health towards adolescents. Therefore, alternative approaches for oral health promotion in adolescents should be explored.