The World Health Organization defines patient education as “any combination of learning experiences designed to help individuals improve their health, by increasing their knowledge or influencing their attitudes” . It consists primarily of providing verbal and written material to the patient to improve their motivation to maintain oral health and wellbeing. Key education points include an understanding of good oral health, the disease process and instruction about behaviors and hygiene activities to assist the patient.
Use and Application
Patient education for prevention and maintenance of oral health can be shared in a number of formats such as:
- one-to-one instruction using techniques of motivational interviewing
- through oral or written materials such as leaflets and brochures
- information through multimedia formats, the internet and social media.
Motivational interviewing (MI) is defined as a “directive, client-centred counselling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence.” It is more focused and goal-directed than simply imparting health information 
Effectiveness and Efficacy
Patients who have a strong understanding of their disease process are much more likely to control their disease and not have repeated setbacks . Providing patient education can result in improved long term oral health which can lead to better outcomes with the use of preventive dentistry and dental services. Social media is an effective communication tool which can be utilised for educational purposes. It enables people from diverse backgrounds to communicate, collaborate and discuss topics. Sites are quite accessible, as participation requires only a smart-phone or computer device .
There are no risks to the patient when patient education is offered in an appropriate way.
The costs of offering effective patient education will vary across countries, and depending on the preferred methods of teaching. In particular, social media offers an inexpensive platform for patient education.
Offering patient education should be a responsibility for all health and dental professionals.
1- World Health Organization. “Health Topics” http://www.who.int/topics/health_education/en/ accessed February 2011.
Key Further Reading
2. Review of Motivational Interviewing in promoting health behaviors.
Martins RK, McNeil DW. Review of Motivational Interviewing in promoting health behaviors. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009 Jun;29(4):283-93. Epub 2009 Feb 23.
3. Models for individual oral health promotion and their effectiveness: a systematic review.
Yevlahova D, Satur J. Models for individual oral health promotion and their effectiveness: a systematic review. Aust Dent J. 2009 September; 54(3):190-7.
4. Social Networking and oral Health Education.
Balappanavar, A.I et al. Social Networking and oral Health Education. Intn’l J. Sci. Study Volume 1, issue 1, April-June 2013.
ACFF Members can download the full reference document for Patient Education.