TY - JOUR A1 - Hurrelmann, Klaus A1 - Reinhardt, C.H. A1 - Noack, M. J. A1 - Wassmer, G. A1 - Klein, K. T1 - A strategy for encouraging young adult’s adoption of a preferred oral hygiene technique T2 - Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry N2 - PURPOSE: Adherence to dental preventive programmes in young adults is low. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to evaluate whether tutoring peers can be a compliance-enhancing tool or not. METHODS: In Part 1, two randomly selected classes (49 female students, mean age 19.8 + or - 2.3 years) were taught adult toothbrushing technique (the modified Bass technique) in a project-like manner. After the course, knowledge was tested using a class test, and compliance was evaluated using anonymous quantitative questionnaires. Compliance was defined as a reported degree of change from the easy-to-learn childhood toothbrushing techniques to the more efficient and challenging Bass technique. In Part 2 of the present longitudinal study, the compliance of these students was re-evaluated after having developed and applied themselves a programme of how to tutor peers in oral health. Re-evaluation of compliance was performed after 3 and 9 months. RESULTS: In Part 1, 28.5% of the students were compliant after 1 week. Compared with Part 1, the compliance in Part 2 was significantly higher (P u 0.001), both after 3 months (90%) and after 9 months (82%). CONCLUSIONS: Tutoring peers can significantly enhance the compliance over a period of 9 months. Tutoring can function as a form of empowerment and can establish a strong sustained health engagement. Tutoring peers in health-related subjects can readily be implemented in schools and might be an additional means of oral health promotion with fewer additional costs. KW - Compliance KW - Motivation KW - Patient education Y1 - 2014 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-hsog/frontdoor/index/index/docId/958 SN - 1602-1622 VL - 8 IS - 1 SP - 3 EP - 8 PB - Quintessenz Publ. CY - Berlin ER -