Effects of feedback and persuasive communications on dental hygiene behavior

As part of an ostensible dental health education program, junior high school homemaking students were exposed to positive(optimistic). and fear-arousing filmed persuasive communications. Subgroups received feedback on teeth cleanliness. The dependent variable was a chemical indicator of actual toothbrushing behavior administered precommunication, and one-, two-, five-, and ten-weeks postcommunication. Hypotheses predicted that the feedback and positive-appeal treatments would produce greater behavior change in accordance with recommendations than the control groups. Results failed to support the hypotheses, but suggested that repeated behavioral measures alone were sufficient to produce and maintain significant behavior improvement through the ten-week posttest. Methodological implications for studies which use repeated obtrusive measures are discussed.