Motivational Interviewing for Oral Hygiene

(MI-Ortho Trial)

Overseen By Ezza M Abdullah, DDS

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Disqualifiers: Systemic diseases, Other study, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 months

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if motivational interviewing—a supportive conversation that helps individuals find their own reasons to change—can improve oral health for teens with braces. It compares this method to standard dental education, focusing on whether it helps adolescents better care for their teeth and gums. Teens who have had braces for a while and can commit to three study visits over six months might be a good fit. Participation could help dentists and orthodontists discover more effective ways to encourage healthy dental habits. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in dental care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on improving oral hygiene through motivational interviewing, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected.

What prior data suggests that motivational interviewing is safe for improving oral hygiene in adolescents?

Research has shown that motivational interviewing (MI) is safe for individuals. MI is a conversational technique that helps people find motivation to change habits, such as improving dental care. Studies indicate that MI is manageable and free of negative effects.

For instance, one study found that using MI improved dental care habits without causing harm. Another study demonstrated that MI effectively changes oral health habits and helps prevent dental issues. Overall, MI is regarded as a safe and supportive method to enhance dental care routines. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how motivational interviewing (MI) can boost oral hygiene practices in a unique way. Unlike standard oral health education, which typically involves giving patients information, MI is a patient-centered technique that encourages individuals to tap into their own motivations for maintaining better oral hygiene. This trial aims to see if MI can help patients feel more accountable and committed to their oral health, potentially leading to more effective and lasting improvements. By focusing on personal engagement and self-motivation, MI might offer a new, empowering approach to oral care that goes beyond traditional education methods.

What evidence suggests that motivational interviewing is effective for improving oral hygiene in adolescents?

This trial will compare Motivational Interviewing (MI) with standard oral health education. Studies have shown that MI effectively improves oral health habits. For example, MI helps individuals recognize the importance of good oral hygiene and boosts their confidence in maintaining it. Research indicates that MI surpasses standard oral health advice in motivating people to care for their teeth and gums. A review of studies also supports MI's role in enhancing oral hygiene and gum health. This method involves supportive conversations that help individuals discover their own reasons to improve their oral care habits. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Yu Yin Lin, DDS

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents aged 14 to 19 who are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment and want to improve their oral hygiene. The study aims to help them avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues that can arise from poor care during braces treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently wearing braces.

I can attend three study visits over six months.

Able to read, understand, and communicate in English without the use of a translator

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with systemic diseases or conditions that may impact oral health

Currently enrolled in another behavioral or oral health intervention study

Any condition deemed by the investigators to make the participant ineligible for safe and effective participation

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive motivational interviewing sessions or standard oral health education during routine orthodontic appointments

6 months

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in oral hygiene behaviors and clinical measures such as Plaque Index and Gingival Index

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Motivational Interviewing-Based Counseling

Trial Overview The study tests motivational interviewing—a supportive counseling method—against standard oral health education. It examines if these conversations encourage better oral hygiene in teens with braces by helping them set goals and take responsibility for their dental health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standard Oral Health Education Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will receive the conventional oral hygiene education typically provided in orthodontic clinics. This includes verbal instructions and printed educational materials on topics such as toothbrushing technique, flossing with braces, and the importance of maintaining oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. Education will be delivered by pediatric dental staff during scheduled orthodontic appointments at the same time points as the intervention group (baseline, 1-month, and 6-month visits). No motivational interviewing techniques will be used. This approach reflects routine care and serves as the comparator for evaluating the added value of MI.

Group II: Motivational Interviewing Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Motivational Interviewing (MI) will be conducted as the primary behavioral intervention in the study group. MI is a collaborative, patient-centered communication technique designed to enhance a patient's intrinsic motivation to adopt healthier behaviors. It involves five core processes: engaging, focusing, evoking, planning, and reviewing. These sessions aim to help patients identify their own goals and motivations related to oral hygiene and to foster a sense of autonomy and accountability. In this study, MI sessions will be delivered by a single trained dental professional who has previous formal training and experience conducting MI as part of earlier research. To maintain quality and consistency, a structured MI script and checklist based on established MI protocols will be used for each session. Sessions will take place at three different time points throughout the study period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4206116/

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing at improving oral ... To analyze the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) at improving oral health behaviors (oral hygiene habits, sugar consumption, dental services ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772628222000772

Effectiveness of brief motivational interviewing on ... A brief motivational interviewing intervention was superior to enhance perceived importance, interest and self-efficacy of oral hygiene behaviors.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07164989

Motivational Interviewing to Improve Oral Hygiene in ... This study aims to assess the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in promoting oral health behaviors and awareness among adolescent orthodontic ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38307831/

Motivational Interviewing on Periodontal Treatment ... This systematic review investigated the clinical efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) in improving oral hygiene and periodontal health

5. bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12887-023-04078-y

The effectiveness of motivational interviewing on the oral ... Some studies suggest a higher effectiveness of motivational interviewing compared to common oral health instruction in healthy individuals.

6. jdh.adha.org jdh.adha.org/content/99/3/5

Motivational Interviewing in Dental Hygiene Education: Past ... Motivational interviewing has emerged as an effective, evidence-based approach to fostering positive health behavior change across various health care settings, ...

7. thieme-connect.com thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/s-0045-1811597.pdf

Motivational Interviewing in Improving Oral Health MI aims to promote positive oral health behaviors—such as improved oral hygiene, dietary changes, tobacco cessation, and regular dental visits— ...