Akademiliv

Sahlgrenska akademins nyheter

På Svenska
University of Gothenburg Logotype
  • News
  • Notices
  • Calendar
  • Grants
  • About Akademiliv

Young adults with caries can improve their health behavior fast

27 November, 2022 Leave a Comment

DOCTORAL THESIS. Young adults with extensive caries disease often have a high propensity for risk in terms of oral health. At the same time, with the right support and treatment, they can modify their unhealthy behaviors. A thesis at the University of Gothenburg describes the challenges involved in helping patients in this vulnerable category.

In Sweden, oral health has improved markedly over the past few decades. Most people’s oral health is now good; but this favorable state is unevenly and inequitably distributed. Certain groups bear a significantly heavier burden of disease, associated with socioeconomic and other factors, than the majority.

Jennie Hagman, whose day job is as a practicing dentist in hospital orofacial medicine within Gothenburg’s Swedish Public Dental Care services, defended the present thesis in the subject of odontological psychology and public health at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. In her thesis, she describes the vulnerability of the young adult age group (aged 18–25).

Many of them move away from home, get a job, and become responsible for their own finances and health. At the same time, they start having to pay for health care — when it comes to dental care, from the year of their 24th birthday. Infrequent dental consultations, a high-sugar diet, and smoking make up a poor but not unusual mix among young adults with caries disease.

Immediate positive effect

Jennie Hagman, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
Photo: Göteborgs universitet.

Hagman’s thesis is based on a study in Region Västra Götaland comprising 135 young adults with a high incidence of caries. They were all given standardized oral health information in public dental care within the framework of the study, and half were assigned by chance to receive treatment from a psychologist as well.

The form of therapy concerned is known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The treatment consisted of identifying the value of good oral health to the patients and training them in mental skills, such as acceptance. These are skills that may help them establish new, more salubrious oral health habits.

In the group receiving ACT, an immediate impact on health behaviors was evident: their tooth-brushing improved, and their use of floss, toothpicks, and fluoride increased. The control group’s behavior changed too, but less so.

A follow-up study showed that those receiving ACT treatment improved their oral health most, although the amount of plaque and gingivitis did not differ significantly between the two groups. The results also indicate a dividing line between women and men: Supplement with ACT treatment seems to have been more efficacious for female oral health.

Discussion of new methods

Dental care services have traditionally attempted to influence patients’ oral-health-related behavior by providing information about the causes and progression of oral diseases, and by advising patients on what they need to change if they are to maintain or improve their oral health.

Over the past few decades, the efficacy of this approach has been called into question, and other methods of addressing these problems have been sought. Hagman’s thesis is highly germane to the discussion.

The results demonstrate the scope for direct behavioral modification and improved oral health in a group of young adults with extensive caries problems. Their willingness to undergo psychological treatment intended to impact their behavior is also in itself a boon.

“These findings show that there’s a need to develop effective methods and techniques to promote oral health, and that theory-based methods aimed at modifying people’s behavior can potentially enhance self-care and oral health alike,” Hagman thinks.

Title: Young adults and oral health – Oral health behaviors and an intervention for better oral health

BY: MARGARETA GUSTAFSSON KUBISTA

By: Elin Lindström
Tagged With: avhandling, institutionen för odontologi

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Add your own events in the Akademiliv Calendar

No newsletter during the sports holiday – Wednesday, February 15

Information from Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office

[UPDATED JAN 24]
The Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office provides an overview of upcoming and current calls, nominations and events in an information letter. This letter is updated approximately four times per semester.

’20 minutes for researchers’ is back – see full spring program

During 20 minutes over Zoom, the Biomedical Library gives tips on tools and services that can facilitate your research everyday life.

We are building at Medicinareberget

You will now find comprehensive information on construction projects that affect the Sahlgrenska Academy in the Staff Portal.

Lunch menus

Café Anatomen
Menu not available on website.

Café Annedal
Menu not available on website.

Lunchen.nu

Lustgården på Änggårdsbacken
Take away for external guests between 11.00-12.30 weekdays.

Lyktan

Mersmak Mölndal

Mersmak Sahlgrenska

Mersmak Östra

Salt & Syra

More news

Nominations for Honorary Doctors 2023 is open

2 February, 2023

HONORARY DOCTOR. All staff at Sahlgrenska Academy may nominate honorary doctorates. The appointments are evidence of the faculty’s appreciation, a …  

Depression and low quality of life 30 years after chemical attack

27 January, 2023

NEW STUDY. Mustard gas harms the vision, skin and breathing. Three decades on, however, the predominant effect is mental ill-health. At a time …  

Testing a immunological drug as a new treatment for early type 1 diabetes

26 January, 2023

CLINICAL STUDY. A large clinical study is now beginning on an approved drug for treating psoriasis. The drug will be tested on patients who were …  

Emma Eckernäs: GU now surveying doctoral students’ work environment too

25 January, 2023

COLUMN. For the first time, the work environment survey (ARK) at the University of Gothenburg (GU) now contains a sub-survey aimed specifically …  

Nominate for the award “PhD Thesis of the Year”

24 January, 2023

AWARD. Do you know of a really good thesis that was defended last year? Until February 7, you can nominate for the Sahlgrenska Academy's PhD …  

New legislation for clinical trials of medicinal products

24 January, 2023

RESEARCH RESOURCES. New EU legislation for clinical trials of medicinal products will be phased in over the coming years. All new applications …  

Joining forces for research on asthma, allergy, and airways

24 January, 2023

RESEARCH CONDITIONS. "Breathe Sweden", a digital platform for researchers who collect studies on diseases and disorders of the respiratory tract, …  

Fewer surgically treated ankle fractures with a clear-cut treatment routine

24 January, 2023

DOCTORAL THESIS. It has been shown that the percentage of ankle fractures that undergo surgery could be substantially reduced, from more than 30 …  

In memory of Bo Lundbäck

23 January, 2023

COMMEMORATIVE REMARKS: On December 6, Professor Bo Lundbäck passed away at the age of 74 after a period of illness. He was a senior professor in …  

Hope of more donor hearts suitable for transplantation

23 January, 2023

MULTICENTER STUDY. Improved Heart is the first prospective multicenter study in the world where evaluation of organ donors’ cardiac function is g …  

More news...

Sahlgrenska Academy

© University of Gothenburg
PO-Box 100, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Phone: 00 46 31 786 0000

About the website

Elin Lindström is editor for Akademiliv.
Please feel free to send your ideas and comments to akademiliv@gu.se

Sign up for the Akademiliv newsletter:

Send you tips to Akademiliv

Do you have a suggestion for news, grants, seminars or an education?
Send an email to Elin Lindström Claessen