Oral hygiene behaviour change using motivational interviewing

Oral health interventions delivered by the dental team, such as the need for interdental cleaning, have been able to improve patient knowledge and attitudes. However, a long-term behaviour change has always been a more complex goal (Tolvanen et al, 2010). A behaviour change requires long-term compliance with recommendations on a daily basis.

The focus of this article is on motivational interviewing (MI), providing a brief overview for those who are unfamiliar with it and an outline of how it can be applied when working with patients to implement interdental cleaning. It is an approach suitable for use in the dental practice when working with a patient towards compliance with tailored oral health interventions.