More knowledge is needed regarding what works to prevent oral health problems and reduce disparities in oral health. Motivational interviewing (MI) has demonstrated utility for improving health behavior, including among those with severe mental illness. This study tests whether MI enhances the efficacy of an oral health education intervention in individuals with severe mental illness. Sixty individuals were randomly assigned to MI plus oral health education or oral health education alone. Plaque scores, oral health knowledge, and self-regulation were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed improvement (p < 0.05) in plaque, autonomous regulation, and oral health knowledge across time for both groups; however, individuals receiving MI improved significantly more when compared with those receiving oral health education alone. Results suggest that MI is effective for enhancing short-term oral health behavior change for people with severe mental illness and may be useful for the general population.
Oral health programs for people with psychiatric disabilities are rare. This study examined the feasibility efficacy of an oral health intervention for people with psychiatric disabilities. Fifty individuals were recruited and randomly assigned to receive education, reminder system and mechanical toothbrush or just the mechanical toothbrush. 42 completed the study. Plaque index scores recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks indicate a statistically significant improvement for both groups but those in the enhanced intervention improved significantly more. The results suggest the mechanical toothbrush improves the oral hygiene of people with psychiatric disabilities. The combination of mechanical toothbrush, dental instructions and reminders result in additional improvements.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.