Objectives:  To explore and describe attitudes towards tooth-brushing among Iranian adolescents.

Methods:  A series of focus-group sessions were held with 37 Iranian adolescents in schools. The groups comprised five to eight adolescents. All focus-group discussions were tape-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. All transcripts, codes and categories were read several times to extract a theme. Data were analysed using a qualitative content analysis approach.

Results:  Four major categories emerged from the analysis: brushing teeth is a necessary evil, parental influence on not brushing teeth, brushing teeth is insignificant, and brushing teeth is a health hazard. The theme identified in the latent content described that tooth-brushing is not part of the adolescents’ activities of daily living.

Conclusions:  Health educators should stress on the engagement of parents, awareness of the adolescents on brushing techniques and causes of toothache, and address any misconceptions regarding tooth-brushing.