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NCT Number: NCT07307313

Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing in Promoting Oral Health Among Children

The goal of this clinical study is to compare the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) and traditional patient education methods in improving oral hygiene (plaque score and bleeding score) among young children 8-10. It will also assess the demographic (age and sex) and socioeconomic indicators' effect on oral hygiene (plaque score and bleeding score) after intervention.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

* Is MI significantly more effective in improving oral health (plaque score, bleeding score) among children when compared to traditional patient education methods? * Are there specific demographic or contextual factors (e.g., age, socioeconomic status, baseline oral health status) that influence the effectiveness of MI in promoting oral health among children when compared to traditional patient education methods?

Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups to receive oral hygiene instructions: verbal and written, video, and motivational interviewing.

Have their oral hygiene assessed using the plaque index and bleeding index before the intervention and after a follow-up period of 1 month.

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Key information

Conditions

Pediatric Dentistry Motivational Intervention Motivational Interview, OHI Oral Hygiene Education Methods Oral Hygiene, Oral Health

Age range

8 year–10 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lamis

Amman, Jordan

About this study

This clinical study aims to compare the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) and traditional patient education methods in improving oral hygiene (plaque score and bleeding score) among young children aged 8-10. The study is a randomized clinical trial that will be conducted among healthy pediatric patients attending the pediatric dentistry clinics at the University of Jordan Hospital.

Patients who meet the inclusion criteria and give consent will be randomly assigned to three groups:

  • Verbal and written instructions group: Basic oral hygiene instruction will be given to this group on a model of the mouth and then supported by written instructions.
  • Video monitored (VIDEO) group: Uploaded from the National Health Service (NHS) website and translated to the patient's mother tongue (Arabic).
  • Motivational interviewing (MI) group: The participants will join the motivation sessions one-to-one, face-to-face, with the primary researcher, who will be trained and calibrated to provide MI and take sessions with qualified psychologists.

Oral hygiene will be assessed using two parameters:

Plaque index scoring: 0/1 Bleeding on probing score: 0/1 Each patient will be examined twice: the first time is before the intervention, and the second is after a follow-up period of 1 month.

The study will also investigate the influence of age, sex, and socioeconomic status on oral hygiene improvement.

The findings of this research aim to contribute to the growing body of literature on MI and inform public health strategies aimed at reducing the global burden of childhood dental diseases.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children who are medically healthy
  • Children with normal manual dexterity
  • Children whose parents/guardians provide informed consent
  • Children not currently receiving orthodontic therapy
  • Children who do not require periodontal specialty care
  • Children with normal occlusion or mild, non-treatment-requiring malocclusion

Exclusion criteria

  • Children with systematic, or syndromic disease
  • Children with special health care needs
  • Children with poor manual dexterity
  • Children with negative consents.
  • Children with current orthodontic therapy
  • Children with chronic diseases.
  • Children on medications that may cause drug-induced gingivitis.
  • Children who attend periodontal clinics.
  • Children with malocclusion

Treatment and study plan

Motivational interviewing oral hygiene instructions

Behavioral

Brief motivational interviewing session for each patient for around 20-30 minutes

Video for oral hygiene instructions

Other

A video about oral hygiene instructions uploaded from NHS and translated for the mother tongue language of the participants

Written and verbal oral hygiene instructions

Other

Basic oral hygiene instruction will be given verbally and then supported by written instructions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Plaque index

    Time frame: From enrollment to the 4-week follow-up appointment

    The primary researcher will document the plaque index for each patient prior to the intervention and after the follow-up appointment after 1 month using Plaque Control Index scoring

  2. Bleeding index

    Time frame: From enrollment to the 4-week follow-up appointment

    The primary researcher will document the bleeding index for each patient prior to the intervention and during every follow-up appointment using Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Lamis D. Rajab

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing Versus Traditional Patient Education in Promoting Oral Health Among Children

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 29, 2025
Registry last updated
May 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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