Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

29 questions · 29 findings · 3 reviews · Oral Health

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No studies found 4 · 13.8%GRADE not reported 12 · 41.4%Very low 0 · 0%Low 11 · 37.9%Moderate 2 · 6.9%High 0 · 0%

Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction)

Self-efficacy beliefs (flossing) · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)

1 finding from 1 review

Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal diseases 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
Stewart 1996: the psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly higher change in self efficacy scores for flossing at post-intervention compared to the educational group (there was no difference in the…
1 study · 78 participants
GRADE not reported

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Self-efficacy related to oral health · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based educational interventions significantly improved oral health self-efficacy (SMD 1.49; low certainty), though between-study heterogeneity was very high.

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up 4 weeks to 12 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD 1.49 [0.99, 2.00]
10 studies · 4513 participants
Low

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Oral health attitudes (1-7 scale) · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions significantly improved oral health attitude (SMD 9.32; low certainty); the very large effect warrants cautious interpretation.

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up immediately after to 6 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD 9.32 [7.08, 11.55]
3 studies · 2370 participants
Low

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Oral health-related quality of life · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions significantly improved oral health-related quality of life (SMD 7.38; low certainty), with very high heterogeneity.

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up 0.5 to 12 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD 7.38 [5.57, 9.19]
4 studies · 4751 participants
Low

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Mean DMFT (decayed, missing, filled permanent teeth) · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions showed no significant effect on DMFT scores (SMD -0.11; low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up 3 to 12 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD -0.11 [-0.27, 0.04]
4 studies · 2556 participants
Low

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Periodontal health status · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions significantly improved periodontal health (SMD -1.18; moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up 2 weeks to 6 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD -1.18 [-1.83, -0.53]
4 studies · 3342 participants
Moderate

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Oral health behaviour (1-9 scale) · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions significantly improved oral health behavior (SMD 2.58; low certainty), with very high heterogeneity.

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up 0.5 to 24 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD 2.58 [2.03, 3.12]
6 studies · 13973 participants
Low

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Oral health knowledge (1-9 scale) · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions significantly improved oral health knowledge (SMD 1.09; low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up immediately after to 24 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD 1.09 [0.80, 1.39]
7 studies · 10904 participants
Low

Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)

Plaque index (PI) / oral hygiene · school‐age children and adolescents

Theory-based interventions significantly reduced dental plaque (SMD -1.92; moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and adolescents: a… 2025 All outcomes
Post-intervention (follow-up 1 to 24 months, varies by study) · School-based and community settings; multiple countries (predominantly Iran; also Pakistan, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Thailand) · Overall
SMD -1.92 [-2.42, -1.42]
9 studies · 12562 participants
Moderate