Effectiveness and Legitimacy of the Motivational Interviewing With Caregivers on the Oral Health of Special Patients

Abstract

Difficulty of caregivers in performing oral hygiene for Patients with Special Needs, usually leads to demotivation and negligence. In order to adhere to healthy habits, an intervention model was created: Motivational Interview (MI). It consists of a collaborative conversation to strengthen motivation and commitment to change. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and legitimacy of MI in a single session on the oral health of children with special needs, unable to perform their hygiene. Methods: Exploratory study with paired randomization, double-blind, including caregivers of patients aged 2 to 19 years treated at the Physical and Motor Rehabilitation Center of IMIP/Recife-Brazil. Caregivers were allocated to a test (Motivational Interview) or control (Traditional Counseling) group. In t0, they answered questionnaires, and the child's dental chart and Visible Plaque Index (VPI) were filled. MI group participated in a 10 min Motivational Interview involving guidance on brushing techniques and making mouth openers. TC group attended a lecture addressing the same theme. In t1, questionnaires were reapplied, followed by a new VPI and dental chart, in addition to a satisfaction survey regarding the methodology used. Results: After 30 days, the MI group showed a decrease in VPI when comparing the medians (14.70 vs. 10.71) and an increase in the frequency of daily brushing to 03 x or more (44.4 % vs. 77.8 %), while the TC group remained practically stable (8.75 vs. 10.71 and 28.6), but with no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 5 %). Both legitimized the workshop as a pleasurable activity (100 %) and felt motivated after completion (TC = 85.7 %, MI = 100 %). Conclusion: A single session of MI reduced VPI from disabled children, however, without proving to be more effective than Traditional Counseling.