Dentaltown April 2014 - (Page 105)

hygiene and prevention perio reports Motivational Interviewing Used to Introduce Dry Toothbrushing Children and teenagers are generally not motivated to comply with oral hygiene instructions. Repeated toothbrushing instructions at dental hygiene visits are not predictive of compliance within this age group. Motivational interviewing focuses on what the patient is interested in and willing to do, rather than on what the dental hygienist wants the patient to do. It requires asking questions and listening to the answers, engaging the patient in the conversation rather than presenting a lecture. Together, the patient and the clinician make a plan to improve oral health. Following the OARS strategy, teens and preteens were engaged in a discussion about oral hygiene and dry toothbrushing. OARS: O-open-ended probing questions, A-affirming or acknowledging responses, R-reflective listening and reflecting back to the patient, and S-summarizing, asking the patient to summarize the discussion. Having the patient summarize the discussion and their proposed actions is valuable. Follow-up was done with the patients and their parents via email and phone calls. Patients targeted for motivational interviewing rather than traditional oral hygiene instructions were more likely to follow through with the plan agreed upon. Parents were excited with the results and the daily commitment to oral health demonstrated by their children. The hygienist involved reported feeling more gratified to be doing more for her patients. Her interactions with patients are now more creative and rewarding. The challenge with motivational interviewing was to avoid taking on a directive approach, trying to get patients to do what the clinician thought they needed to do rather than what the patient is actually willing to do. Perio Reports Vol. 26, No. 4 Perio Reports provides easy-to-read research summaries on topics of specific interest to clinicians. Perio Reports research summaries will be included in each issue to keep you on the cutting edge of dental hygiene science. Clinical Implications: Motivational interviewing enhances oral hygiene instructions. n Fernald, S.: The Impact of Motivational Interviewing on Dry Brushing Compliance in Pre-Teen/Teenager Patients. OHU Action Research 8A-13, 2013. www.hygienetown.com Professional Products to Treat Root Sensitivity Root surface hypersensitivity is a problem patients ask dental hygienists to treat. There are both at-home products for patients to use daily and there are professional services that can be provided in the dental office. Several products are available, yet not all products work for all patients. Some products require more time to apply, while others require a light cure. Clinicians are looking for products that are easy to apply and provide immediate relief for the patient. In this clinical practice study, fluoride varnish and a desensitizing agent were compared in a split-mouth approach. Patients with sensitivity on both sides of their mouths were treated on one side with fluoride varnish and the other with a desensitizing agent. Both products are Sunstar GUM brands: Xylitol Sweetened Rapid Fluoride Varnish and Protect. The Protect required a pre-application step with a conditioning acid to remove biofilm and expose tubules, allowing access to the Protect liquid. Clinicians evaluated patients' sensitivity to hot, cold and touch. They also evaluated the level of bacterial plaque associated with the area of exposed dentin. Most of the patients reported sensitivity to cold rather than hot or touch and reported the pain level to be five on a scale of one to 10. Very little plaque was associated with areas of sensitivity. The cost benefit calculations found the per application price for fluoride varnish to be $2.06 compared to $1.42 for Protect. Treatment fees for the clinical application of these two products can be submitted for insurance company reimbursement. Clinical Implication: Both Sunstar GUM brand fluoride varnish and Protect desensitizing agent were effective in eliminating dentinal hypersensitivity. n Thaw, M.: Reducing Dentin Hypersensitivity with the Application of Fluoride Varnish or Protect. OHU Action Research 7A-13, 2013. continued on page 106 dentaltown.com « APRIL 2014 105 http://www.hygienetown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown April 2014

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: The Changing Landscape of Dentistry
Professional Courtesy: The Employee Preview
Continuing Education Update
The In Criminal
Smile Design Using Direct Composite
Where to Get Office Manual or Employee Manual, etc.?
Unfreakingbelievable Oral Cancer… You Literally Might Lose Your Appetite (I Did).
24 Ways to Pass Go: Keep the Marriage and Money Police at Bay
Cancer is a Scary Word
Emergency-turned-cosmetic Case
Office Visit: Smile Design with Dr. John Nosti
Corporate Dentistry
Dentaltown Research: Endodontics
New Products/Industry News
Continuing Education: Common Implant Mishaps
What’s New With Hands-free In-Office Communication?
Product Profile: Bayshore Dental Studio
The Hitch With Staff Incentives
Product Profile: Ivoclar Vivadent
Ad Index
Identifying the Office Manager Position
Untreated Perio
Perio Reports
Perio Program Feature: Creating a Perio Program for your Practice
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown April 2014