Planning Predicts Dental Service Attendance and
the Effect is Moderated by Dental Anxiety and
Educational Status: Findings from a One-Year
Prospective Study
Amir H. Pakpour
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Paul Gellert
Newcastle University, UK
Saeed Asefzadeh
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Falko F. Sniehotta*
Newcastle University, UK
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether planning a
dental appointment is a predictor of actual dental visits over a one-year
period when controlling for past attendance, demographic factors, and dental
health beliefs. In addition, the planning–attendance association was explored
to determine whether dental anxiety and educational status moderated this
relationship. Methods: A total of N = 1,422 adults with a mean age of
M = 44.4 (SD = 11.0) years and resident in Iran participated in a prospective
study over a one-year period. The primary outcome was self-reported dental
appointment attendance at one-year follow-up, which was validated using
clinical records. Action planning, coping planning, health beliefs, age, dental
insurance, income, dental health status, dental anxiety, and years of education
were assessed at baseline by self-report questionnaire. Data were analysed
using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Action planning and coping
planning were significantly associated with dental appointment attendance at
one-year follow-up. Planning a dental appointment was more predictive of
dental appointment attendance for people with higher levels of education and
* Address for correspondence: Falko Sniehotta, Institute of Health and Society, Medical
Faculty, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle NE2
4AX, UK. Email: falko.sniehotta@ncl.ac.uk
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, 2014
doi:10.1111/aphw.12025
© 2014 The International Association of Applied Psychology