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GingivitisMI-OrthoNCT07164989

Motivational Interviewing to Improve Oral Hygiene in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients

A study testing Motivational Interviewing-Based Counseling and Standard Oral Health Education in people with Gingivitis and DMFT Index, run by University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study is being conducted to explore how motivational interviewing (MI), A patient-centered counseling method, can help improve oral health awareness and practices in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 14 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Gingivitis, DMFT Index, Dental Plaque Index
What is being tested?
Motivational Interviewing-Based Counseling and Standard Oral Health Education
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
28 Oct 2025to 31 Jul 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 14 to 19 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adolescents aged 14-19 years
  • Currently undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment with active appliances in the mouth
  • Available for three study encounters over a 6-month period
  • Able to read, understand, and communicate in English without the use of a translator
  • Able to provide consent, and whose parent/guardian also agrees to provide consent

Who cannot join

  • Patients with systemic diseases or conditions that may impact oral health
  • Patients who are expected to complete orthodontic treatment or have appliances removed within 6 months
  • Individuals requiring interpreter services for participation
  • Individuals unable or unwilling to provide consent (or whose guardians cannot provide consent)
  • Currently enrolled in another behavioral or oral health intervention study.
  • Any condition deemed by the investigators to make the participant ineligible for safe and effective participation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • UAB School of Dentistry/ Department of Pediatric Dentistry

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35233

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Patient-Centered Approach to Promote Oral Health Awareness and Practices Regarding Oral Hygiene in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Motivational Interviewing

This study is being conducted to explore how motivational interviewing (MI), A patient-centered counseling method, can help improve oral health awareness and practices in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment. Adolescents often struggle to maintain good oral hygiene during orthodontic care, which can lead to complications such as gum disease, tooth decay, and poor treatment outcomes.

Participants in this study will receive brief, structured conversations focused on encouraging them to set goals and take responsibility for their oral health. These interviews are designed to be non-judgmental and supportive, helping the participants explore their own motivations for keeping their teeth and gums healthy during braces treatment.

The study will take place at a pediatric dentistry clinic and will involve adolescents aged approximately 14 to 19 who are receiving orthodontic care. The goal is to assess whether this type of communication improves their oral hygiene behaviors and outcomes compared to standard oral health education. Findings from this research may help pediatric dentists and orthodontists improve how they engage adolescent patients in taking care of their oral health.

Read the detailed description

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in promoting oral health behaviors and awareness among adolescent orthodontic patients in a pediatric dentistry setting. Adolescents often face unique challenges in maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment due to age-related factors such as motivation, compliance, and shifting priorities. As a result, they are at increased risk for plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, and white spot lesions.

Motivational interviewing is a well-established, evidence-based counseling approach that focuses on enhancing an individual's intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. It has shown promise in areas such as smoking cessation, weight management, and medication adherence, but its application in oral health-especially among adolescents-remains underutilized.

This randomized controlled trial will enroll adolescent patients between the ages of 14 and 19 who are currently undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving MI-based counseling sessions at routine orthodontic appointments) or the control group (receiving standard oral health education). The MI sessions will be brief (approximately 15-20 minutes), conducted by trained pediatric dental professionals, using a structured MI script and checklist based on established MI protocols.

The study will evaluate oral health behaviors through self-reported questionnaires and objective clinical measures, including plaque index, gingival index, and oral hygiene compliance as recorded in follow-up appointments. Secondary outcomes will include participant satisfaction, perceived autonomy in health decisions, and parental involvement in oral care.

Ethical safeguards include patient consent, parental consent, and measures to protect participant confidentiality. Given the low-risk, behavioral nature of the intervention, the study does not require a Data Monitoring Committee. All data will be monitored by the Principal Investigator and reviewed periodically by the study team to ensure fidelity and safety.

The findings from this study are expected to provide valuable insights into how motivational interviewing can be implemented effectively in clinical dental settings to improve adolescent engagement and long-term oral health outcomes.

Being tested
Motivational Interviewing-Based Counseling, Standard Oral Health Education
Keywords
Motivational Interview, Oral Hygiene, Fixed Orthodontic Treatment
Medical subject headings
Gingivitis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Motivational Interviewing-Based CounselingBehavioural

    Motivational interviewing (MI) is a structured, patient-centered counseling technique that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence toward behavior change. In this study, MI sessions will be delivered by trained pediatric dental professionals during routine orthodontic visits. Each session will last approximately 10-15 minutes and will be guided by a standardized MI protocol, focusing on improving oral hygiene behavior and increasing personal motivation and responsibility for oral care among adolescent participants. Sessions will be conducted at multiple time points during the course of treatment.

  • Standard Oral Health EducationBehavioural

    Participants in this group will receive the conventional oral hygiene education typically provided in orthodontic clinics. This includes verbal instructions and printed educational materials on topics such as toothbrushing technique, flossing with braces, and the importance of maintaining oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. Education will be delivered by pediatric dental staff during scheduled orthodontic appointments at the same time points as the intervention group (baseline, 1-month, and 6-month visits). No motivational interviewing techniques will be used. This approach reflects routine care and serves as the comparator for evaluating the added value of MI.

Study groups in NCT07164989
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Motivational Interviewing GroupExperimentalMotivational Interviewing (MI) will be conducted as the primary behavioral intervention in the study group. MI is a collaborative, patient-centered communication technique designed to enhance a patient's intrinsic motivation to adopt healthier behaviors. It involves five core processes: engaging, focusing, evoking, planning, and reviewing. These sessions aim to help patients identify their own goals and motivations related to oral hygiene and to foster a sense of autonomy and accountability. In this study, MI sessions will be delivered by a single trained dental professional who has previous formal training and experience conducting MI as part of earlier research. To maintain quality and consistency, a structured MI script and checklist based on established MI protocols will be used for each session. Sessions will take place at three different time points throughout the study period.
Receives: Behavioral: Motivational Interviewing-Based Counseling
Standard Oral Health Education GroupExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive the conventional oral hygiene education typically provided in orthodontic clinics. This includes verbal instructions and printed educational materials on topics such as toothbrushing technique, flossing with braces, and the importance of maintaining oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. Education will be delivered by pediatric dental staff during scheduled orthodontic appointments at the same time points as the intervention group (baseline, 1-month, and 6-month visits). No motivational interviewing techniques will be used. This approach reflects routine care and serves as the comparator for evaluating the added value of MI.
Receives: Behavioral: Standard Oral Health Education

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Plaque Index (Silness and Löe, 1964)

    Description: Change in Plaque Index score from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. The Plaque Index is scored on a 0-3 scale, where 0 = no plaque, 1 = thin plaque detectable by probe or disclosing solution, 2 = moderate visible plaque, and 3 = abundant plaque. A decrease in score indicates improved oral hygiene.

    Time Frame: Up to 6 months per participant Unit of Measure: Mean Plaque Index score (0-3 scale)

    Measured: Up to 6 months per participant

  2. Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Gingival Index (Silness and Löe, 1964)

    Description: Change in Gingival Index score from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. The Gingival Index is scored on a 0-3 scale, where 0 = normal gingiva, 1 = mild inflammation, 2 = moderate inflammation, and 3 = severe inflammation. A decrease in score indicates improved gingival health.

    Time Frame: Up to 6 months per participant Unit of Measure: Mean Gingival Index score (0-3 scale)

    Measured: Up to 6 months per participant

  3. Change in Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT)

    Description:

    The DMFT Index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) is a standardized WHO measure of lifetime dental caries experience in permanent dentition. Each participant's teeth will be examined, and the number of decayed (D), missing (M, due to caries), and filled (F) teeth will be recorded. The total DMFT score is the sum of these categories, ranging from 0 (no caries experience) to 28 (all permanent teeth affected). Lower scores represent better oral health. Changes in DMFT from baseline to the 6-month follow-up will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing compared to standard oral hygiene education.

    Measured: Up to 6 months per participant

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Self-Reported Oral Hygiene Behavior Questionnaire Score

    Participants will complete a validated self-report questionnaire assessing their frequency and quality of oral hygiene practices (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, use of interdental aids). Responses will be collected at baseline and at study completion. Improvement in self-reported oral hygiene behavior is expected in the motivational interviewing group compared to the control group. Self-Reported Oral Hygiene Behavior Questionnaire Score. Participants will complete a validated self-report questionnaire at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. This will assess frequency and quality of oral hygiene practices (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, use of interdental aids). Scoring: The questionnaire uses a Likert-type scale, with responses scored from 0 (least favorable behavior) to 4 (most favorable behavior). Range: Minimum = 0, Maximum = 20 (total score, depending on items used).

    Higher scores indicate better oral hygiene behavior.

    Measured: Up to 6 months per participant

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 Sep 2025
  2. Study start28 Oct 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Jul 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants will be randomized into two parallel arms: one receiving motivational interviewing-based counseling sessions, and one receiving standard oral health education during orthodontic care. The intervention will occur during routine follow-up visits.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07164989
Sponsor's protocol ID
300014350
Other IDs
UAB
Acronym
MI-Ortho
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
19 Aug 2025
Last updated
3 Feb 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Because this study involves adolescent participants and collects identifiable behavioral and dental health data, individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared to protect participant confidentiality. However, aggregate results from the study will be published and shared through peer-reviewed journals and presentations.

Publications

  • Rigau-Gay MM, Claver-Garrido E, Benet M, Lusilla-Palacios P, Ustrell-Torrent JM. Effectiveness of motivational interviewing to improve oral hygiene in orthodontic patients: A randomized controlled trial. J Health Psychol. 2020 Nov-Dec;25(13-14):2362-2373. doi: 10.1177/1359105318793719. Epub 2018 Sep 10.

    PubMed 30198774
  • Cascaes AM, Bielemann RM, Clark VL, Barros AJ. Effectiveness of motivational interviewing at improving oral health: a systematic review. Rev Saude Publica. 2014 Feb;48(1):142-53. doi: 10.1590/s0034-8910.2014048004616.

    PubMed 24789647

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Motivational Interviewing-Based Counseling and Standard Oral Health Education in people with Gingivitis and DMFT Index, run by University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Plaque Index (Silness and Löe, 1964) (time frame: Up to 6 months per participant). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07164989, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Feb 2026.

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