IADR Abstract Archives
Motivational Interviewing to Prevent ECC: The Baby Tooth Talk Study
Objectives: Determine, using a randomised trial design, if the incidence of early childhood caries can be reduced by implementing a series of motivational interviewing, anticipatory guidance interventions and fluoride varnish applications to South Australian Indigenous children in their first three years of life.
Methods: 448 mother-child dyads were recruited between mid-2010 to late 2011 and randomised 1-to-1 to either the intervention group (motivational interviewing and anticipatory guidance counselling along with fluoride varnish applications at 6, 12, 18 and 24-months since birth) or to control (delayed intervention of 30 months). As part of the intervention sessions, mothers were encouraged to attend either a public or private dental clinic for the management of their own oral health. If required, financial and transport support was provided for mothers.
Results: At the 2-year follow-up, the number of cavitated and non-cavitated lesions was non-significantly lower in the intervention group relative to control mean difference (95%CI) -0.36 (-0.84, 0.13) and the preventive fraction (PF) was 35.88%. After adjustment for maternal SES characteristics, residential location and health behaviours, the effect estimate was marginally attenuated was -0.32 (-0.81, 0.17), PF=37.84%. Two-thirds of mothers in the study sought and received dental care for themselves which consisted of procedures such as examination, radiographs, restorations, extractions and periodontal care.
Conclusions: The intervention provided did reduce caries incidence between groups, albeit not significantly. Use of motivational interviewing and anticipatory guidance lead to mothers seeking dental care for themselves. Findings from this study may be used going forward to develop culturally-appropriate learning tools for dental clinicians working with Indigenous Australian patients.
Methods: 448 mother-child dyads were recruited between mid-2010 to late 2011 and randomised 1-to-1 to either the intervention group (motivational interviewing and anticipatory guidance counselling along with fluoride varnish applications at 6, 12, 18 and 24-months since birth) or to control (delayed intervention of 30 months). As part of the intervention sessions, mothers were encouraged to attend either a public or private dental clinic for the management of their own oral health. If required, financial and transport support was provided for mothers.
Results: At the 2-year follow-up, the number of cavitated and non-cavitated lesions was non-significantly lower in the intervention group relative to control mean difference (95%CI) -0.36 (-0.84, 0.13) and the preventive fraction (PF) was 35.88%. After adjustment for maternal SES characteristics, residential location and health behaviours, the effect estimate was marginally attenuated was -0.32 (-0.81, 0.17), PF=37.84%. Two-thirds of mothers in the study sought and received dental care for themselves which consisted of procedures such as examination, radiographs, restorations, extractions and periodontal care.
Conclusions: The intervention provided did reduce caries incidence between groups, albeit not significantly. Use of motivational interviewing and anticipatory guidance lead to mothers seeking dental care for themselves. Findings from this study may be used going forward to develop culturally-appropriate learning tools for dental clinicians working with Indigenous Australian patients.