How to have healthy conversations: Contemporary Evidence and Behaviour Change Tools in support of Delivering Better (Oral) Health

Jennifer E Gallagher; Jenny H Godson; Zoe Marshman

doi:10.1177/20501684241230836

How to have healthy conversations: Contemporary Evidence and Behaviour Change Tools in support of Delivering Better (Oral) Health

Prim Dent J. 2024 Mar;13(1):32-37. doi: 10.1177/20501684241230836.

Authors

Jennifer E Gallagher^{1

2

3}, Jenny H Godson^{1

2

3}, Zoe Marshman^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Jennifer E. Gallagher MBE, PhD, MSc, BDS, DDPH, DTMM, FDSRCSEng, FHEA Ambassador, International, Engagement & Service, Newland-Pedley Professor of Oral Health Strategy, Hon Consultant in Dental Public Health, Discipline Lead for Dental Public Health Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
² Jenny H. Godson MBE, BDS, DDPH RCS (Eng), MDSc, FFPH Former Consultant in Dental Public Health with Public Health England and latterly OHID, DHSC (retired), UK.
³ Zoe Marshman BDS, MPH, DDPH, FDS (DPH), PhD Professor/Honorary Consultant in Dental Public Health, School of Clinical Dentistry, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, UK.

PMID: 38520190
DOI: 10.1177/20501684241230836

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide dental professionals with insight into how the science of behaviour change can be used to support patients to change their oral health behaviours. The paper describes how the fourth version of Delivering Better Oral Health (DBOHv4) published in November 2021, brings together the theory plus key principles and practical tools in Chapter 3 "Behaviour change", to help front-line clinicians achieve the best effect. DBOH is freely available to all online at gov.uk and is a key resource for dental teams for the prevention of oral diseases.

Keywords: Guidance; behaviour change; oral health; prevention.

MeSH terms

Communication
Health Behavior*
Humans
Oral Health*