[Motivational interviewing : a useful technique for both smoking cessation and periodontal interventions]

Tobacco is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and is the leading cause of preventable death. In the same way, periodontal diseases are one of the main chronic inflammatory diseases. The significant positive association between smoking and a higher risk of periodontitis is not any more to show and it appears that if smoking would be eliminated in this population, the risk of periodontitis would be reduced by approximately 14 %. Thus, the management of smoking cessation as well as periodontal treatment have become a public health issue. Motivational interviewing is a method of communication to support the change of health behaviour. The periodontist is then in the first position to set up a motivational interview in conjunction with smoking cessation and periodontal therapy. The taking into account of the risk factors among which tobacco is a stake for the restoration and the maintenance of periodontal health. Published evidence suggests that smoking cessation interventions are effective, highlighting the need for behavioural support in periodontal care. Motivational interviewing becomes an important part of both periodontal and smoking treatment.