Protocols of Motivational Interviewing for prevention of dental caries in children: Scoping review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47990/b9r16366

Keywords:

Motivational Interviewing, Oral Health, Dental Caries, Child Health

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood caries remains a significant public health challenge in Brazil. Motivational interviewing (MI) has been recognized as an effective approach for promoting behavior change. Therefore, access to a structured MI protocol by oral health professionals may enhance its application in childhood health education actions. Objective: To systematically map studies that used any type of structured MI protocol in the prevention of childhood caries and to evaluate the protocols, questionnaires, or interview guides used. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted by two independent reviewers, previously trained and calibrated, who carried out the search, selection, and data extraction of studies that used MI protocols in the management of caries in children. MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO, CUMED, BDENF, SciELO and Scopus were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2024. Inter-reviewer agreement was excellent (kappa ≥ 0.84). Results: Of the 862 references identified, 10 studies used a structured MI protocol with parents or guardians of children. Randomized clinical trials predominated and were conducted mainly among low-income populations and children at high risk for caries. Conclusion: The mapping of the scientific production on MI for childhood caries prevention identified a small number of interventions based on a structured protocol, with the Weinstein Protocol and collaborators being the only instrument translated and adapted into other languages.

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Published

2026-06-06

Issue

Section

Narrative Reviews

How to Cite

Protocols of Motivational Interviewing for prevention of dental caries in children: Scoping review. (2026). Latin American Pediatric Dentistry Journal, 16. https://doi.org/10.47990/b9r16366