Motivational Interviewing to Improve Oral Hygiene in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Gingivitis; DMFT Index; Dental Plaque Index; Oral Hygiene Education Methods; Oral Hygiene Reinforcement During Fixed Orthodontic Treatment; Motivational Interview, OHI

• Registration Number: NCT07164989
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Brief Summary

This study is being conducted to explore how motivational interviewing (MI), A patient-centered counseling method, can help improve oral health awareness and practices in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment. Adolescents often struggle to maintain good oral hygiene during orthodontic care, which can lead to complications such as gum disease, tooth decay, and poor treatment outcomes.

Participants in this study will receive brief, structured conversations focused on encouraging them to set goals and take responsibility for their oral health. These interviews are designed to be non-judgmental and supportive, helping the participants explore their own motivations for keeping their teeth and gums healthy during braces treatment.

The study will take place at a pediatric dentistry clinic and will involve adolescents aged approximately 14 to 19 who are receiving orthodontic care. The goal is to assess whether this type of communication improves their oral hygiene behaviors and outcomes compared to standard oral health education. Findings from this research may help pediatric dentists and orthodontists improve how they engage adolescent patients in taking care of their oral health.

Detailed Description

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in promoting oral health behaviors and awareness among adolescent orthodontic patients in a pediatric dentistry setting. Adolescents often face unique challenges in maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment due to age-related factors such as motivation, compliance, and shifting priorities. As a result, they are at increased risk for plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, and white spot lesions.

Motivational interviewing is a well-established, evidence-based counseling approach that focuses on enhancing an individual's intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. It has shown promise in areas such as smoking cessation, weight management, and medication adherence, but its application in oral health-especially among adolescents-remains underutilized.

This randomized controlled trial will enroll adolescent patients between the ages of 14 and 19 who are currently undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving MI-based counseling sessions at routine orthodontic appointments) or the control group (receiving standard oral health education). The MI sessions will be brief (approximately 15-20 minutes), conducted by trained pediatric dental professionals, using a structured MI script and checklist based on established MI protocols.

The study will evaluate oral health behaviors through self-reported questionnaires and objective clinical measures, including plaque index, gingival index, and oral hygiene compliance as recorded in follow-up appointments. Secondary outcomes will include participant satisfaction, perceived autonomy in health decisions, and parental involvement in oral care.

Ethical safeguards include patient consent, parental consent, and measures to protect participant confidentiality. Given the low-risk, behavioral nature of the intervention, the study does not require a Data Monitoring Committee. All data will be monitored by the Principal Investigator and reviewed periodically by the study team to ensure fidelity and safety.

The findings from this study are expected to provide valuable insights into how motivational interviewing can be implemented effectively in clinical dental settings to improve adolescent engagement and long-term oral health outcomes.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-08-19
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study Start: 2025-09-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-09
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-10
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-10
• Primary Completion: 2026-04-30
• Study Completion: 2026-06-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• Adolescents aged 14-19 years
• Currently undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment with active appliances in the mouth
• Available for three study encounters over a 6-month period
• Able to read, understand, and communicate in English without the use of a translator
• Able to provide consent, and whose parent/guardian also agrees to provide consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with systemic diseases or conditions that may impact oral health
• Patients who are expected to complete orthodontic treatment or have appliances removed within 6 months
• Individuals requiring interpreter services for participation
• Individuals unable or unwilling to provide consent (or whose guardians cannot provide consent)
• 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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Plaque Index (Silness and Löe, 1964)	Up to 6 months per participant	Description: Change in Plaque Index score from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. The Plaque Index is scored on a 0-3 scale, where 0 = no plaque, 1 = thin plaque detectable by probe or disclosing solution, 2 = moderate visible plaque, and 3 = abundant plaque. A decrease in score indicates improved oral hygiene.; Time Frame: Up to 6 months per participant Unit of Measure: Mean Plaque Index score (0-3 scale)
Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Gingival Index (Silness and Löe, 1964)	Up to 6 months per participant	Description: Change in Gingival Index score from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. The Gingival Index is scored on a 0-3 scale, where 0 = normal gingiva, 1 = mild inflammation, 2 = moderate inflammation, and 3 = severe inflammation. A decrease in score indicates improved gingival health.; Time Frame: Up to 6 months per participant Unit of Measure: Mean Gingival Index score (0-3 scale)
Change in Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT)	Up to 6 months per participant	Description: The DMFT Index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) is a standardized WHO measure of lifetime dental caries experience in permanent dentition. Each participant's teeth will be examined, and the number of decayed (D), missing (M, due to caries), and filled (F) teeth will be recorded. The total DMFT score is the sum of these categories, ranging from 0 (no caries experience) to 28 (all permanent teeth affected). Lower scores represent better oral health. Changes in DMFT from baseline to the 6-month follow-up will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing compared to standard oral hygiene education.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Self-Reported Oral Hygiene Behavior Questionnaire Score	Up to 6 months per participant	Participants will complete a validated self-report questionnaire assessing their frequency and quality of oral hygiene practices (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, use of interdental aids). Responses will be collected at baseline and at study completion. Improvement in self-reported oral hygiene behavior is expected in the motivational interviewing group compared to the control group. Self-Reported Oral Hygiene Behavior Questionnaire Score. Participants will complete a validated self-report questionnaire at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. This will assess frequency and quality of oral hygiene practices (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, use of interdental aids). Scoring: The questionnaire uses a Likert-type scale, with responses scored from 0 (least favorable behavior) to 4 (most favorable behavior). Range: Minimum = 0, Maximum = 20 (total score, depending on items used).; Higher scores indicate better oral hygiene behavior.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UAB School of Dentistry/ Department of Pediatric Dentistry; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States