A Systematic Review of Oral Health Behavior Research in American Adolescents

Abstract

Despite improvements in prevention, oral diseases are a problem among adolescents, linked to poor health outcomes and poor school performance. Little is known about adolescent oral health behavior. This systematic review describes factors that influence oral health behavior in adolescents. Inclusion criteria for the literature search were American children aged 12–19 and research on oral health behavior. Articles ( n = 353) were retrieved, eight met the inclusion criteria, and of these, six were descriptive and two were experimental studies. The matrix method, critical appraisal, and content analysis produced themes across the studies. Participants were primarily African Americans and Hispanics of both genders, of lower socioeconomic status, aged 12–19. Findings suggest that ethnicity, race, and gender may influence oral health behavior in adolescents and that interventions have an effect. Research is needed to explore what other factors may influence oral health behavior in adolescents, long-term health outcomes, and school performance.