2.2 Education and Reinforcement

Education and reinforcement refer primarily to oral hygiene instruction and information about the carious disease process. The oral health professional providing education and reinforcement needs to assess the patient’s competence level and adjust the education to fit the patient’s needs. Customized information may also be required for adults who are cognitively or physically impaired. Education for children under age 10 should be provided to parents or other caregivers, as well as to the child.4

Tell, Show, Do

Oral hygiene instruction is most effective if provided using the “tell, show, do” method in a culturally appropriate way.

Toothbrushing

There are many effective toothbrushing methods. Some patients need to make only minor adjustments to their current method, while others need to learn a new way to brush. There is a consistent difference between the time that patients believe they spend brushing and the time they actually spend brushing;5 this may be significant, as the length of time that teeth are exposed to fluoride in toothpaste is important.

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