Predictors of Behaviours Related to Reducing Dental Plaque Based on the Health Belief Model Constructs Among Sixth‐Grade Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the factors that affect behaviours related to reducing dental plaque can help decrease oral and dental health problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the predictors of behaviours related to reducing dental plaque based on the Health Belief Model constructs among sixth-grade students. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 401 sixth-grade students from Urmia City were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that included two parts. The first part gathered demographic information, while the second part consisted of questions designed based on the Health Belief Model constructs, as well as knowledge about dental plaque and behaviours related to reducing it. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS software, version 16. RESULTS: Constructs of perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.455, p < 0.001), perceived barriers (β = -0.100, p = 0.018) and cues to action (β = 0.100, p = 0.043) were significant predictors of behaviours associated with reducing dental plaque. The constructs of the Health Belief Model, along with knowledge, explained approximately 40.2% of the variance in behaviours related to reducing dental plaque among sixth-grade students in Urmia City. CONCLUSION: Constructs of perceived self-efficacy, perceived barriers and cues to action were significant predictors of behaviours related to reducing dental plaque among sixth-grade students. Therefore, it is recommended that these constructs be integrated into all educational interventions that are designed and implemented with the aim of promoting behaviours related to reducing dental plaque among sixth-grade students.