“A calmer way of working”: an evaluation of motivational interviewing training in oral healthcare

Statement of the problem Oral healthcare practitioners often struggle to balance technical efficiency with person-centred communication in brief appointments. Motivational interviewing (MI) offers a structured, evidence-informed approach to supporting behaviour change and enhancing patient engagement in oral health. Purpose of the study: This evaluation explored senior dental hygienists’ experiences of a tiered MI training programme, examining perceived impacts on communication, clinical practice and practitioner well-being, and identifying barriers and enablers to implementation in Irish dental services. Materials and methods A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted following ethical approval from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Cork Teaching Hospitals (October 2023). Twenty senior dental hygienists participated in the MI training pathway; 14 who had completed at least introductory and intermediate levels completed an online post-training survey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three trainees and three members of the MI training team. Survey data was analysed descriptively (frequencies and percentages) in IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0, and interview data underwent reflexive thematic analysis. Results Participants reported increased confidence in using open questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries (OARS), and a shift away from directive advice giving towards more collaborative, patient-centred discussions of behaviour change. They perceived that MI-consistent communication improved rapport, supported patient motivation, and made consultations feel calmer and less stressful. Time pressure, competing clinical demands and limited organisational understanding of MI were identified as major barriers to sustained use in routine practice. Conclusions Within the limits of a small, self-selected convenience sample, MI training appears to be a promising and valued approach for enhancing communication and supporting well-being among senior dental hygienists. Embedding MI within undergraduate and continuing professional development curricula, alongside managerial support, peer learning and access to skilled trainers, may help to normalise MI-consistent communication in oral healthcare.