Table 4 Self-reported oral hygiene habits at baseline and 6-months and self-efficacy beliefs for interdental cleaning at 6-months; % and mean (95% CI). (test n = 223 and control n = 271)

Frequency of tooth brushing, %

  ≥ 2 times a day

88.7

85.1

0.483

88.8

86.7

0.368

 Less often

11.4

14.9

11.2

13.3

Frequency of interdental cleaning, %

 Daily

40.2

41.0

0.062

58.1

63.6

0.553

 3–5 times a week

23.7

14.7

27.0

23.4

 Less often or never

36.1

44.4

14.9

13.0

Time spent on oral hygiene, min/day

8.0 ± 4.2

8.0 ± 5.2

0.923^‡

9.5 ± 5.5

9.7 ± 5.9

0.785^‡

Inter-dental cleaning self-efficacy^†

‘How confident are you that you clean your proximal surfaces in the following situations?’

When you are tired in the evening

–

–

3.1 (2.9–3.3)

3.2 (3.0–3.3)

0.533^‡

When you are not going to the DH/dentist in the near future

–

–

3.9 (3.7–4.0)

3.9 (3.7–4.0)

0.904^‡

When you are on holiday

–

–

3.7 (3.5–3.8)

3.7 (3.6–3.9)

0.664^‡

When you have a lot of work

–

–

3.6 (3.4–3.7)

3.6 (3.4–3.7)

0.888^‡

When you have a headache or feel ill

–

–

3.0 (2.8–3.1)

3.1 (2.9–3.2)

0.448^‡

Mean; total self-efficacy score

–

–

17.2 (16.5–17.8)

17.4 (16.8–18.0)

0.607^‡