The influence of change on sense of coherence on dental services use among adolescents: a two-year prospective follow-up study.

Abstract Background To investigate the influence of change on sense of coherence (SOC) on dental services use in adolescents over a two-year period. Methods A prospective follow-up study was conducted involving 334 12-year-old adolescents from public schools in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The predictors of use of dental services in the last 12 months were selected according to the Andersen’s behavioural theoretical model. The predisposing factors included sex, self-reported skin colour and SOC. The enabling factors were dental insurance, monthly family income and parents/guardians schooling. Dental pain, perceived oral health status, dental caries and gingival status were used to …