The Use of Motivational Interviewing in Preventing Dental Caries Among Young Children

Abstract

Dental caries is a complex, preventable disease that remains a global health burden. The burden of this disease has been shown to impact young children before the age of 6 years. Discussing dental caries prevention with the mother/caregiver(s) prior to childbirth is an ideal time to influence positive oral health behaviors. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a person-centered, goal-oriented, collaborative communication style that has been used to help individuals modify behaviors. The interrelated principles of partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation underpin the MI approach while utilizing communication skills such as asking open-ended questions, affirmation, reflective listening, and summarizing (OARS) to engage with the individual. Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based communication approach used to assist individuals in modifying behaviors related to health, mental health, nutrition, substance use, and oral health. The integration of MI has shown promise when communicating with mothers/caregiver(s) about dental caries prevention among young children. The purpose of this short report is to describe the MI approach and its use in dental caries prevention for young children.