Objective: To evaluate the impact of motivational interviewing (MI) in reducing plaque and bleeding indices on probing in adult users of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) with periodontal problems. Material and Methods: The study included 68 adult users searching for dental treatment in a family health unit located in Piracicaba, SP, and who had plaque index expressed in percentage greater than or equal to 40% and bleeding on probing greater than 10%. They were randomly divided into control group (CG), which received standard dental care and traditional oral health education and experimental group (EG), which received the same care of CG accompanied by the ME technique. Psycho-cognitive and clinical information of individuals were collected in both groups, such as self-assessment and self-efficacy in oral health, plaque index and gingival bleeding at baseline and at the end of treatment. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher tests and mixed repeated measures considering the significance level of 5% models. Results: We observed statistically significant differences in the 'oral health behavior' 'perception of oral health', 'self-efficacy for oral care', and 'gingival bleeding index' variables on baseline and follow up the impact of the programs. Conclusion: Both strategies had an impact on psycho-cognitive and clinical oral aspects of FHU users; however, MI showed better results.
