The present investigation examined the effects of contracting upon modification of oral hygiene skill and plaque indexes. Three males and one female from a VA domiciliary attended 20 oral hygiene patient-education classes during which personalized flossing and brushing instructions were given. Double-blind personal contracting procedures were applied within a multiple-baseline design across subjects and behaviors. Responses indicated that signing either the skill or plaque contract modified the related index in the desired direction. Contracting appears a viable strategy for selected oral hygiene problems.
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