New research shows that regular dental flossing is improved with a combination of self-efficacy and self-monitoring.1

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A Berlin study investigated the combined roles of self-efficacy – the belief in one's own ability to complete tasks – and self-monitoring – an individual's ability to monitor the completion of tasks, such as the use of a calendar – when predicting the frequency of dental flossing as part of a person's dental routine.

A study of 287 university students, aged 19-26, examined whether a self-regulatory intervention would make a difference to flossing behaviours by comparing an intervention group, active control group and passive control group.

The study found that interventions led to an increase in dental flossing regardless of experimental conditions. However, differential effects were visible for self-efficacy and self-monitoring confirming that the mindset of the participants had changed and that both play a mediating role in facilitating flossing.