Utilization of locus of control in the prediction of patients' oral hygiene performance.

This study investigated the relationship between internal and external locus of control classified patients and improvement in oral hygiene skills and plaque scores. Locus of control scores, and initial and final skill and plaque scores were recorded for 22 dental patients with moderate periodontitis. Oral hygiene instruction was given over a 3-month period to each patient. Although patient oral hygiene skill level increased significantly and plaque scores declined significantly, no relationship was detected between the locus of control personality dimension and skill or plaque scores. It was concluded that personal oral hygiene instruction reinforced by self-instructional manual was effective in improving oral hygiene skill and reducing plaque scores; additional strategies for future studies investigating the locus of control dimension were presented.