Oral hygiene-related self-efficacy as a predictor of oral hygiene behaviour: a prospective cohort study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess whether oral hygiene-related self-efficacy is correlated with current oral hygiene and might influence the outcome of oral hygiene instruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred and twenty-six patients filled out questionnaires about oral hygiene-related self-efficacy, general self-efficacy, oral hygiene-related knowledge and demographic variables. Plaque and gingival inflammation were measured and an individual oral hygiene plan was conducted. After 6 months, oral hygiene indices were assessed again. RESULTS: Women had significantly higher scores in oral hygiene-related self-efficacy than men (women mean 60.40 ± 9.41; men mean 56.04 ± 11.55; p = 0.039) and oral hygiene-related self-efficacy was significantly correlated with general self-efficacy independent from the age of the patients (r = 0.3114, p = 0.0004). Higher scores in oral hygiene-related self-efficacy were significantly correlated with lower scores of gingival bleeding for non-smoking patients (r = -0.301, p = 0.0066), usage of a professional tooth cleaning within these 6 months (p = 0.0406), reappearance to the follow-up appointment (p = 0.0303), and higher goals in inter-dental cleaning plans (p = 0.0189). CONCLUSION: Oral hygiene-related self-efficacy is an influencing factor in the oral hygiene behaviour and has the potential to predict patients' oral hygiene outcomes.

Training of Dental Professionals in Motivational Interviewing can Heighten Interdental Cleaning Self-Efficacy in Periodontal Patients.

BACKGROUND: The success of periodontal therapy depends on the adherence of patients to professional recommendations. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a workshop in motivational interviewing (MI) on non-surgical periodontal treatment performed by dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experimental group patients with periodontitis were treated by students trained in MI, while in the control group patients were treated by students who had not been trained in MI. Clinical oral parameters were assessed by a blinded periodontist in addition to the evaluation of psychological questionnaires given before and after the non-surgical periodontal treatment (6 months). Conversations between patients and students were recorded and rated with the Motivational Treatment Integrity Code (MITI-d) by a blinded psychologist. RESULTS: There were 73 patients in the MI group and 99 patients in the control group. The MI group showed significantly higher scores in the MITI-d analysis. Regression analysis showed that there were no significant differences between groups with regard to plaque level, gingival bleeding, pocket depth reduction or bleeding upon probing. However, patients in the MI-group showed significantly higher interdental cleaning self-efficacy than patients in the control group (MI = 19.57 ± 4.7; control = 17.38 ± 6.01; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Teaching MI to dental students resulted in a significant improvement in the self-efficacy of interdental cleaning in patients compared to a control group of non-trained students, but no improvement in other aspects of non-surgical periodontal therapy. The study also showed that an 8-h workshop with supervision significantly improved the MI-compliant conversations of dental students without requiring more conversation time.