Kimberly Krust Bray

Impact of single‐session motivational interviewing on clinical outcomes following periodontal maintenance therapy

OBJECTIVES Patient engagement in effective oral hygiene following periodontal therapy is essential to long-term success. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a behavioural counselling approach documented to positively influence behaviour change related to smoking, diabetes control and medication adherence. Emerging evidence suggests utility of MI to improve oral health. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the use of brief motivational interviewing (BMI) is effective in improving internal motivation for oral hygiene behaviour. METHODS A convenience sample of fifty-six previously treated periodontal patients who were in maintenance yet presented with signs of clinical inflammation were recruited to participate in this single blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either BMI in conjunction with traditional oral health education (TOHE), (n = 29) or TOHE alone (n = 27). Bleeding on probing scores (BOP), plaque index (PI), pocket depths (PD), motivation (M), autonomous regulation (AR) controlled regulation (CR) and oral health knowledge (K) were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. RESULTS Statistically significant decreases were found over time for BOP (P = 0.001), PI (P = 0.001) and PD 4-6 mm (P = 0.001) for both groups. Differences in clinical parameters between groups were not evident at either 6 or 12 weeks. CONCLUSION Results show that a one-time MI session is insufficient for improving oral hygiene in long-standing maintenance patients.

Exploration of the relationship between parent/guardian sociodemographics, intention, and knowledge and the oral health status of their children/wards enrolled in a Central Florida Head Start Program

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify possible relationships between parent/guardian sociodemographics, intention, knowledge, and the oral health status of their child/ward. Intention includes three factors as defined in the Theory of Planned Behavior: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control, and oral health status was measured by decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) scores. METHODS A convenience sample of parent/guardian with child/ward with age of three to five (n = 181 dyads) enrolled in a Head Start program in the state of Florida participated. A cross-sectional observational study comprised of two components, parent/guardian questionnaire and an oral health status form for recording dmft scores of participating child/ward was employed. RESULTS Parent/guardian race/ethnicity and years of education were significantly related to dmft of child/ward. The highest rates of severe early childhood caries (ECC) were found in child/ward whose parent/guardian is Hispanic and parent/guardian with less than a high school education. Multivariate regression analysis found that increased education level of parent/guardian was significantly associated with lower dmft in this population. No significant relationship was found between parent/guardian self-reported intention (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control), knowledge and dmft scores of the child/ward. CONCLUSION Researchers have called for greater attention to the impact of parental influences in the aetiology of ECC. Results from this study were consistent with current studies where parent/guardian race/ethnicity and educational level served as predictors of oral health status of children. In this study population, parent/guardian intention and knowledge were not shown to significantly impact the oral health status of their child/ward.

Examining the effect of the Flextend Orthotic Device on grip strength: a pilot study.

Strengthening exercises like those used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome have been recommended for prevention however their effectiveness when used in this manner are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the Flextend Orthotic Device on grip strength of dental hygiene students. This study used a convenience sample of 24 (n=24) first year dental hygiene students. Students were randomly assigned to either the Flextend Orthotic Exercise glove group or a control group. A series of grip strength measurements were taken periodically throughout the study using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. In a repeated measures analysis of covariance there were no significant effects for study group (p=0.812) time (p=0.954), nor was there a significant interaction between group and time (p=0.858). Use of the Flextend Orthotic Device did not additionally increase grip strength among dental hygiene students over the eight week time period. In none of the weeks post baseline was there a significant difference between the Flextend Orthotic Device group and control groups.