Motivational interview as a prelude to periodontal treatment had limited impact on oral health

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There is much interest in the use of the motivational interview, a directive patient centered style of counselling in dentistry to promote behaviour change.  This trial looked at a single session of motivational interviewing (MI) on self-performed periodontal infection control. Patients with chronic periodontitis referred to a specialist clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden. Patients randomised to [read the full story…]

Weak evidence shows small effect of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque

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Chewing gum is a activity enjoyed my consumers (particularly teenagers) around the world and is a now multi-billion dollar industry. Historically gums were flavoured with sugar but increasingly sugar substitutes are used, the most common of these being the polyols, sorbitol and xylitol. Chewing stimulates salivary flow and using gum has been recommended when it [read the full story…]