The theory I found most helpful was the Health Belief Model. I was fascinated by its ability to focus on future behaviors using the current attitudes and beliefs of an individual (Glanz, Rimer & Lewis, 2012). I think it is very helpful in the fight against oral disease as it helps individuals make decisions that ensure that their future health is secured. Such decisions involve avoiding risky behaviors such as smoking and eating foods that destroy their teeth. For example, it makes an individual aware that little intake of sugary foods today protects him/her from dental caries in the future. This is done by making the population aware that a negative health condition can always be avoided by taking certain recommended actions.
Most Difficult Theory to Envision Applying
The theory I find most difficult to use in my future work is the transtheoretical model. I understand what it means by the assertion that people are always at different stages of change in their health behaviors but I fail to understand why some people remain in the same stage for all their lives no matter the type of therapy they are taken through (Friedman, 2011). For instance, whereas some smokers may be ready to change and stop smoking, others completely refuse to listen to any advice to have them stop smoking. This means that they remain in the first stage of this theory, contemplation, for all their lives. It is also possible to have some people in the contemplation stage for all their lives. This is prompted by their not being ready to stop smoking due to the pleasures they get in it.
Interventions/Strategies for the Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases
Oral diseases can be prevented and controlled using methods that can be adopted both at the individual level and the community level. These methods include brushing and flossing one’s teeth and water fluoridation. Brushing ensures that the oral cavity is hygienic at all times. This reduces the number of bacteria and other germs likely to cause gingivitis and other periodontal diseases. Fluoridation, on the other hand, protects the entire community from these diseases as it ensures that the water is taken by is free from all the germs that cause dental and oral diseases.
Theories of Health Behavior
The Health Belief Model
This theory argues that with the right attitude and belief, one can avoid future health problems (Friedman, 2011). It asserts that once recommendations for the avoidance of future health hazards are developed and adhered to, the community can avoid serious health problems. For example, if people are ready to adhere to a daily routine of brushing their teeth every morning and after every meal as a way of avoiding dental caries, they will not suffer from caries in the future.
The Transtheoretical Model
This theory argues that each individual can change from their risk behaviors regardless of how much they are into them (Friedman, 2011). It further argues that every human being is at a different stage of change. It proposes fives stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance (Glanz et al, 2012). The proponents of this theory argue that the process of change can sometimes go back and forth.
Social Cognitive Theory
This theory asserts that personal factors, environmental factors and behavior are always in constant interaction. It further argues that one can change his/her behavior through the observation of others, especially the results of their actions, and through their own experiences (Glanz et al, 2012).
References
Friedman, H. (2011). The Oxford handbook of health psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B., & Lewis, F. (2012). Health behavior and health education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.