Compliance in dentistry: general adherence, specific adherence and perceived dental health.

In this study it was attempted to replicate findings on the relationship between general and specific adherence and perceived health in the context of dental treatment. Furthermore the psychometric characteristics of a modified adherence scale for use in dental populations were investigated. A sample of 167 freshmen completed a questionnaire containing a general adherence scale (GAS) developed by DiMatteo et al. (Oncology 1992;6:50-7), a perceived health scale, a perceived dental health scale, and two items about adherence to recommendations on dental behaviour. The GAS showed adequate internal consistency. Positive correlations were found for general adherence on the one hand and for specific adherence, perceived health, and perceived dental health on the other. The results concerning the GAS and specific adherence do not correspond with the findings of DiMatteo et al. It is suggested that this discrepancy is due to the situation-specificity of adherence in combination with differences in the samples and the specific adherence measures used in both studies.