The proposes of this study were to compare the effective on promoting oral health care for bedridden
elderly people between applying motivational interviewing (MI) and conventional dental health education (CDE).
This study was a quantitative part of a mix method based on an explanatory sequential design. Sixty-two elders
and family caregivers in Krabi Province were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. In the 3
months’ follow up, 28 and 26 participants remained in the intervention and control group, respectively. At baseline,
there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups on levels of plaque index, oral
health behavior care for elders as well as general characteristics of elders and caregivers except elder’s diet types,
number of permanent teeth, caregivers’ education and age (p<0.05). At 3 months’ follow-up, the proportion of
appropriate oral health care for the elders in the intervention group was significantly different from the control group (p<0.05) such as toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, rinsing with mouthrinse, frequency on oral hygiene
care, oral hygiene and oral status-check after oral hygiene care. Furthermore, level of positive attitudes towards oral
health care was increased at 3 months’ follow-up in an intervention-group. There were no significant differences
of level of plaque index between groups, but dental plaque index of each group decreased comparing with their
baselines.