Motivational Interviewing to Improve Oral Hygiene in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients (NCT07164989) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Motivational Interviewing to Improve Oral Hygiene in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients
United States50 participantsStarted 2025-10-28
Plain-language 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. 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.
Who can participate
Age range
14 Years – 19 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 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
Exclusion Criteria:
* 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.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Plaque Index (Silness and Löe, 1964)
Timeframe: Up to 6 months per participant
2
Improvement in Oral Hygiene as Measured by change in Gingival Index (Silness and Löe, 1964)
Timeframe: Up to 6 months per participant
3
Change in Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT)