Determinants of Toothbrushing Behavior among 12-Year-Old Children: An Application of the Health Belief Model

Objective: Effective toothbrushing behaviors in school-aged children play an important role in preventing dental and oral health problems. At the age of 12, the behaviors constitute a critical phase in the formation of healthy lifestyle habits. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the factors that influence toothbrushing behaviors in 12-year-old children based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) theory. Material and Methods: A total of 92 12-year-old children were selected by cluster sampling method at elementary schools in Banyumas, Central Java. The independent variables included perceived susceptibility, severity, barrier, and benefit in accordance with HBM. The dependent variable comprised toothbrushing behaviors evaluated through observations, such as frequency, duration, time, and number of sextants. Results: Approximately 79 and 13 respondents had toothbrushing behaviors in the adequate and poor categories, respectively. Mann-Whitney test showed that there was a significant difference between scores of perceived barriers on HBM and toothbrushing behaviors (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Perceived barriers are the most significant factor in toothbrushing behaviors among 12-year-old children. Dental health promotion programs should emphasize education about risks and benefits, as well as focus more on practical strategies to overcome behavioral barriers.