Motivational techniques to help patients improve their oral health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Behavioural motivation to enhance adherence to oral hygiene recommendations for patients in General Dental Practice
IRAS ID
235629
Contact name
Nicola West
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 21 days
Research summary
A primary role of the general dental practitioner (GDP) is the delivery of oral health advice (OHA) and education to patients. It has been found that there is a large variation in OHA advice offered by GDPs and that often, recommendations are not followed well by patients.
A study carried in 2010 found that dental foundation trainees (DFTs) embarking on their first year in general practice, felt that the training they received at undergraduate level on the delivery of OHA was not valid in general practice. Studies have suggested a more realistic approach to delivering OHA in general practice needs to be developed.
Prevention is at the core of the new NHS dental contract. Improving oral health is fundamental to the prevention of oral diseases, the success of which lies in the education of patients. It is important to determine the efficacy of methods of communication that GDPs utilise, and develop more effective tools which may improve the delivery of OHA to bring about changes in patient behaviours.
Recently, patient behavioural motivation techniques have been designed that have been shown to modify behaviour and improve patient adherence to oral hygiene regimens. These techniques can be adapted to meet the patients’ needs and involve the patient using reflection and guidance together with follow up support between dental appointments.
This study will assess whether behavioural motivation to enhance adherence to oral hygiene is more effective in improving oral hygiene in patients at high or low risk of oral disease compared to standard oral health instruction where patients are provided with simple instruction alone. A further impact of this study is to give dental professionals additional tools to help their patients succeed in maintaining oral health.
The study will be undertaken in the UK (South West Region and Leeds) by newly qualified dentists undertaking their foundation training year, and will also provide further training in oral health advice for these young dentists.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0602
Date of REC Opinion
12 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion