Does motivational interviewing have a role in dentistry?

Area of Science:

• Health Promotion
• Behavioral Science
• Dental Public Health

Background:

• Traditional health promotion often uses a 'fixing reflex' approach, which can be ineffective and create patient-clinician discord.
• Evidence suggests that simply telling patients what to do yields limited success in behavior change.
• A patient-centered approach is needed to effectively motivate individuals for healthier behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the application of motivational interviewing (MI) in dental healthcare settings.
• To review the evidence for MI's effectiveness in enhancing general and oral health within dentistry.
• To discuss training opportunities for dental teams in motivational interviewing.

Main Methods:

• This paper reviews existing literature and evidence on motivational interviewing.
• It discusses the principles and application of MI as a patient-centered consultation style.
• The focus is on adapting MI for dental healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, patient-centered approach.
• MI is effective in developing patient motivation and commitment for health behavior change.
• MI can be a brief intervention, effective even in short consultations.

Conclusions:

• Motivational interviewing offers a more effective alternative to traditional health promotion in dentistry.
• Implementing MI in dental settings can improve patient motivation for better oral and general health.
• Training dental teams in MI is crucial for successful adoption and improved patient outcomes.