Relationship between periodontal status and locus of control

Aim: This study addresses the concept of locus of control and the importance of health locus of control. Locus of control refers to the degree of control belief individuals have over their environment. Internal locus of control represents the belief that individuals can control what happens in their lives, while external locus of control represents the belief that what happens in life is determined by uncontrollabe factors. Health locus of control, on the other hand, refers to the degree to which an individual believes that their health is controlled by internal or external factors. Health locus of control is considered a variable that influences health behaviors and contributes to the understanding of health problems. There have been no studies examining the relationship between health locus of control and periodontal disease. This study aims to examine the relationship between periodontal status and locus of control. Material and Method: Our study is a cross-sectional survey conducted with 209 participants. The survey consists of 65 questions, covering demographic characteristics, oral care habits, anxiety, and locus of control. Participants' periodontal status was evaluated using periodontal indices. SPSS 24 was used for data analysis. Demographic characteristics and oral care habits were compared using the chi-square test. Significant differences were examined using the Bonferroni correction. Anxiety and locus of control scores were analyzed using Pearson correlation. The Mann-Whitney U and ANOVA tests were used for group comparisons, and significant differences were evaluated with the LSD Post Hoc test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: According to the results, women had higher dental anxiety and locus of control scores than men. Married participants were more likely than singles to believe in the futility of effort. Younger participants (18-40) believed in luck more than older ones (51+). Those aged 31 and older believed in the futility of effort more than those aged 18-30. Participants with lower education and income levels had higher locus of control and futility of effort scores. A relationship between dental anxiety and locus of control was found across all groups, with a positive relationship between belief in an unjust world and anxiety in the healthy group. Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, periodontal health education should focus on strengthening internal locus of control and reducing external locus of control. Personalized treatment plans should be created considering the impact of demographic factors on periodontal status and locus of control. Awareness and educational programs are necessary for the improvement of periodontal health behaviors. These results can help identify areas for the development of treatment and support programs, as well as the strengthening of personal locus of control perception. Oral health-related behaviors and locus of control can vary among different groups and situations. Dental anxiety and locus of control are associated with individuals oral hygiene habits and dental visits. Keywords: Periodontal Status, Locus of Control, Oral Hygiene, Dental Anxiety