Background

Oral hygiene adherence is a fundamental component of oral disease prevention and overall health promotion. Despite advances in preventive dentistry, dental caries and periodontal diseases remain highly prevalent worldwide. Family environments play a critical role in shaping oral hygiene behaviors, particularly during childhood, when lifelong habits are established. Psychological and behavioral determinants such as parental modeling, motivation, self-efficacy, oral health literacy, and family support influence adherence to recommended oral hygiene practices.

Aim

To review the current evidence regarding psychological and behavioral determinants of oral hygiene adherence in families, with particular emphasis on parental modeling, motivation, and oral health education.

Methodology

A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were searched using keywords related to oral hygiene adherence, parental modeling, oral health literacy, motivation, self-efficacy, family oral health behavior, and oral health education. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, observational studies, qualitative studies, and intervention studies published in English were included. Relevant findings were synthesized narratively.

Results

The literature demonstrates that parental oral health behaviors, motivation, self-efficacy, oral health literacy, and supportive family environments significantly influence children’s oral hygiene adherence. Positive parental role modeling and educational interventions improve oral hygiene practices, while low oral health literacy and inadequate family support are associated with poorer oral health outcomes. Theory-based interventions have shown promising results in promoting sustainable oral hygiene behaviors.

Conclusion

Oral hygiene adherence is influenced by multiple interconnected psychological and behavioral factors operating within the family environment. Family-centered oral health promotion programs focusing on parental education, motivation enhancement, and behavioral modeling may significantly improve oral hygiene practices and long-term oral health outcomes.

Keywords: Oral hygiene adherence, parental modeling, oral health literacy, motivation, self-efficacy, family behavior, oral health education, children.