1. Becoming the Trainer Cover the following: Parental advocacy
Motivational interviewing techniques
OARS
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

2. Parental Advocacy UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

3. Parental Advocacy
We know cavities in children is a big problem in our community
Right now, over 25% of four year-old children in the U.S. have cavities. 
Studies have reported that parental education and family income have a direct impact on children's oral health
Our parent skills and attitudes toward oral hygiene may influence our children's oral hygiene habits and their chance of getting cavities!!
As parents we have a big influence in our child’s dental health!
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

4. Parental Advocacy
Parents & family create an environment necessary for a healthy lifestyle
Parental Advocacy increases self-confidence, and helps form healthy habits in your children
It is crucial that as a parent you realize the importance of your child’s baby teeth and how to keep them healthy
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

5. Parental Advocacy: What Community Oral Health Workers Can Do?
Start young! Don’t delay!
REMEMBER: It is important for children to become familiar with the dentist at a very young age, by 1 or when the first tooth erupts
YOU
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer
Together the parent and dentist play an important role in promoting oral health
We should think about your doctors and dentist as a team that is helping you keep your baby healthy!

6. Parental Advocacy
Parents should choose a dentist they feel comfortable with so that they can be part of a dental home
The dental home is a means for dental care provided to infants, children, and adolescents to be delivered in an accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective manner.
Often, the first visit to the dentist consists primarily of an examination and a cleaning.
Follow through with the dentist’s recommendations and follow up on appointments to avoid future dental issues
It is important to see the dentist every 6 months, and to establish a relationship with your dentist
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

7. Tips for anxious parents
Let the child know the dentist is “a friend,” not someone to be afraid of.
Be relaxed during the visit. Make sure not to show signs of fear and tension, such as clutching your child’s hand.
Answer your child’s questions simply and truthfully.
Avoid talking with others about past painful experiences at the dentist in front of your child.
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

8. More Tips
Never use going to the dentist as a threat with your child, such as, “If you eat too much candy, the dentist will pull out your teeth.”
Parents should try to find a dentist who specializes in the care of children’s teeth
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

9. Motivational Interviewing
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

10. What is motivational interviewing used for?
Helping change a bad behavior to a new good behavior without being too aggressive
Doctors/Dentist use it to help their patients learn new information and help them adopt good habits
YOU will use it to help teach other parents in your workshops to adopt healthy habits
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

11. Four General Principles of Motivational Interviewing
Express Empathy
Develop discrepancy
Support self-efficacy
Roll with resistance
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

12. USE OARS to help in motivational interviewing
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer
Open-ended Questions
Affirmations
Reflective listening
Summaries

13. O = Open questions
Ask questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” response. Open questions promote conversation and draw out more information.
Ask parents:
“How did toothbrushing go last night with Elise?”
instead of:
“Did you brush Elise’s teeth last night?”
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

14. A = Affirmations
To change, people first need to believe they can change. Use affirmations to help parents believe in themselves.
Be supportive:
“What a great idea to read Janie a book about going to the dentist before her first visit!”
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

15. R = Reflections
Saying back to the parent what you heard her say, how she feels, letting the parent know you’re listening and understand.
A good reflection is:
“So, it’s hard for you to find the time to brush Elise’s teeth in the morning.”
The R also stands for Rolling with Resistance, refocusing the conversation on supporting what’s important – healthy behaviors.
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

16. S = Summaries
Saying back to the parent what you’ve discussed, confirming the action the parent has said she’s willing to take.
A good summary is:
“So, you’ll try and find the time tomorrow to call the dentist and schedule Elise’s appointment
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 12: Becoming the Trainer

17. UCLA Community Oral Health Program Module 12: Becoming the Trainer