Motivational interviewing may be effective in dental setting.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior Change
• Clinical Interventions

Background:

• A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various health promotion interventions.
• Studies were identified through comprehensive searches of multiple databases including Medline, PsychInfo, Cinahl, ERIC, and the Cochrane Library.
• Study quality was rigorously assessed using a combined scheme for qualitative, quantitative, and systematic review methodologies.

Discussion:

• Thirty-two studies were analyzed, categorized into clinical prevention/health education, counseling, models-based interventions, and motivational interviewing.
• Motivational interviewing emerged as the most effective strategy for modifying health behaviors within clinical environments.
• The findings highlight the potential of motivational interviewing in diverse health promotion contexts.

Key Insights:

• Motivational interviewing demonstrates superior efficacy in altering health behaviors compared to other examined interventions.
• The review synthesized evidence from a range of study designs to assess intervention effectiveness.
• Effective health behavior change strategies are crucial for improving clinical outcomes.

Outlook:

• There is a need for an effective chairside oral health promotion model integrating current evidence.
• Oral health professionals should prioritize addressing social determinants of oral disease during clinical encounters.
• Further research and development of motivational interviewing techniques within oral health are warranted.