The Relationship between Stages of Dental Cleaning Behavior Change Based on Trans-theoretical Model (TTM) with School Role and Social Support in Students

Social support and school play a pivotal role in the development of oral health-related behaviors among students. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between stages of dental cleaning behavior change based on Trans-theoretical model with school role and social support in Iranian students. Materials and Methods In a cross-sectional study, 525 male and female students were selected through cluster and simple random sampling. Demographic information, data related to trans-theoretical model constructs and social support and school role were collected via self-reports. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software. Results The findings showed that 58% of students (32% boys and 26% girls) used none of the dental cleaning tools. Most of the students (42.5%) were found to be in the preparation stage of dental cleaning behavior. There was a significantly direct correlation between school role and self-efficiency and perceived benefits (P<0.05, r=0.159). Also there was a significantly reverse correlation between school role and perceived barriers (P<0.05, r= -0. 311,). No significant correlation was reported between social support and school role during stages of dental cleaning behavior (P>0.05). Conclusion The results indicated that the majority of students did not use of dental cleaning tools and did not receive sufficient social support in this regard. To perform dental cleaning behavior, student should increase perceived self-efficacy and benefits and decrease perceived barriers. Low performance of dental cleaning behavior among students is indicative of the necessity of performing intervention programs aiming to promote dental cleaning behavior.