title: Application of a motivation-behavioral skills protocol in gingival lichen planus: a short-term study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a motivation–behavioral skills protocol for plaque control in patients with gingival lichen planus.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pre- and post-test descriptive clinical study was made of 40 consecutive white patients with gingival lichen planus: five males (12.5%) and 35 females (87.5%); mean age: 57 years. A motivation–behavioral skills protocol for oral hygiene was applied, with the determination of gingival scores (gingival index, plaque extension, and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs [CPITN]) and patient evaluation after 4 and 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical parameters in relation to the different forms of gingival lichen planus showed statistically significant improvements for gingival index, plaque extension, and CPITN (P <0.001) as determined 4 and 8 weeks after starting the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of an active prevention program in patients with gingival lichen planus is important because it offers benefits for periodontal health. However, more long-term studies are needed to confirm the results obtained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Murcia University Dental School, Murcia, Spain. majornet@um.es
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López-Jornet
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Camacho-Alonso
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005938:Glucocorticoids