The Application of Self-Efficacy Theory and Social Support for dental caries protection of students at Primary School in Buanoi Sub-District Kanthararom District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

           This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the application of Self-efficacy theory and social support for protection against the dental caries of primary school students, Buanoi Sub-District, Kanthararom District, Sisaket province. The study consisted of 73 students separated into two groups: the experimental group consisted of 40 students while the comparison group was 33 students. The experimental group was set up the Dental Health Education Program, which included teaching the prevention of dental caries, observation, and demonstration. A questionnaire was employed to collect the data as well as a plaque index measurement form establishing the before and after experimental periods. The statistics were analyzed for descriptive data, also the Paired Sample t-test and Independent Sample t-test were applied for the comparative data analysis.

          The results and findings revealed that after the trial knowledge of dental caries prevention, the perceived score for self-efficacy, the expectation of benefit of dental health and the practice of dental prevention were at high level scores. Furthermore, after the program was implemented, the plaque scores index was low level. It is also found that the experimental group had increased their mean score of knowledge for the prevention of dental caries, the self-efficacy outcome, and the expectation behavior, the scores were also significantly higher than the comparison group at a level of 0.05 (P-value<0.001). On the other hand, the mean score of the awareness of dental plaque of the experimental group was significantly low after being involved in the implemented program, it was lower than the comparison group at a statistical test of 0.05 (P-value<0.001) on dental hygiene program by applying the Self-efficacy theory and Social Support likewise.

          In conclusion, the results and findings confirmed the application of self-efficacy theory and social support for dental caries protection of students to prevent dental caries for students on their own should be better. These should be encouraged the application of program to the similar oral health problems in school or changing behavioral health relating problems to any other places in public health areas.