Background: Elementary school is a critical period for oral health because the incidence of dental caries is high, and early symptoms of gingivitis manifest. While existing oral health education improves knowledge, it has limitations in sustaining oral health behaviors. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health education program based on motivational interviewing (MI), which enhances intrinsic motivation and promotes behavioral change. Methods: Thirty-five elementary school students (Grades 4∼6) were recruited and assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n=16) received an MI-based oral health education program, whereas the control group (n=16) received standard education. The program was conducted once per week for five weeks (1 hour/session) and covered: Session 1: Understanding tooth structure, causes of caries, and setting oral health goals; Session 2: Learning how to perform rotational brushing and exploring ambivalence; Session 3: Learning how to use dental floss and tongue cleaners while reinforcing motivation; Session 4: Identifying cariogenic and protective foods; and Session 5: Developing a change plan and assessing self-confidence. Oral health behaviors, diet-related oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant post-intervention improvements. However, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant group-time interactions and sustained improvements in all areas except diet-related behaviors. The control group showed a temporary increase followed by a decline. Conclusion The MI-based oral health education program effectively improved and maintained oral health behaviors and oral hygiene skills. It can be applied to elementary school students to promote long-term changes in oral health behaviors.

Background: Elementary school is a critical period for oral health because the incidence of dental caries is high, and early symptoms of gingivitis manifest. While existing oral health education improves knowledge, it has limitations in sustaining oral health behaviors. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health education program based on motivational interviewing (MI), which enhances intrinsic motivation and promotes behavioral change. Methods: Thirty-five elementary school students (Grades 4∼6) were recruited and assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n=16) received an MI-based oral health education program, whereas the control group (n=16) received standard education. The program was conducted once per week for five weeks (1 hour/session) and covered: Session 1: Understanding tooth structure, causes of caries, and setting oral health goals; Session 2: Learning how to perform rotational brushing and exploring ambivalence; Session 3: Learning how to use dental floss and tongue cleaners while reinforcing motivation; Session 4: Identifying cariogenic and protective foods; and Session 5: Developing a change plan and assessing self-confidence. Oral health behaviors, diet-related oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant post-intervention improvements. However, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant group-time interactions and sustained improvements in all areas except diet-related behaviors. The control group showed a temporary increase followed by a decline. Conclusion The MI-based oral health education program effectively improved and maintained oral health behaviors and oral hygiene skills. It can be applied to elementary school students to promote long-term changes in oral health behaviors.

Background: Elementary school is a critical period for oral health because the incidence of dental caries is high, and early symptoms of gingivitis manifest. While existing oral health education improves knowledge, it has limitations in sustaining oral health behaviors. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral health education program based on motivational interviewing (MI), which enhances intrinsic motivation and promotes behavioral change. Methods: Thirty-five elementary school students (Grades 4∼6) were recruited and assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n=16) received an MI-based oral health education program, whereas the control group (n=16) received standard education. The program was conducted once per week for five weeks (1 hour/session) and covered: Session 1: Understanding tooth structure, causes of caries, and setting oral health goals; Session 2: Learning how to perform rotational brushing and exploring ambivalence; Session 3: Learning how to use dental floss and tongue cleaners while reinforcing motivation; Session 4: Identifying cariogenic and protective foods; and Session 5: Developing a change plan and assessing self-confidence. Oral health behaviors, diet-related oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant post-intervention improvements. However, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant group-time interactions and sustained improvements in all areas except diet-related behaviors. The control group showed a temporary increase followed by a decline. Conclusion The MI-based oral health education program effectively improved and maintained oral health behaviors and oral hygiene skills. It can be applied to elementary school students to promote long-term changes in oral health behaviors.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported sleep and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to understand potential implications for Alzheimer’s disease prevention. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 80 patients with MCI and 70 controls. Participants completed standardized questionnaires to assess self-reported sleep quality (Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI-K]), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]), and insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Seoul Neuropsychological Test and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. The Korea Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale was used to assess instrumental activities of daily living. Correlation analyses examined the relationship between sleep-related parameters and cognitive function. Results: The results indicated no significant differences in PSQI-K and ESS scores between patients with MCI and the control group. Correlation analyses revealed that poorer sleep quality was associated with reduced frontal and executive functions in patients with MCI, particularly in tests such as Controlled Oral Word Association Test (supermarket, -0.311, p<0.001) and Trail Making Test (TMT) B (0.232, p<0.001). Additionally, daytime dysfunction was associated with poorer cognitive performance across language and executive domains (e.g., Korean Boston Naming Test: -0.290, p<0.001; TMTA: 0.248, p<0.001). In both groups, ISI scores were linked to cognitive functions, particularly in attention, phonemic fluency, and executive function (e.g., digit span, backward: -0.225, p<0.01; TMTA: 0.327, p<0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that sleep disturbances significantly impact cognitive function and daily living abilities in patients with MCI.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported sleep and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to understand potential implications for Alzheimer’s disease prevention. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 80 patients with MCI and 70 controls. Participants completed standardized questionnaires to assess self-reported sleep quality (Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI-K]), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]), and insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Seoul Neuropsychological Test and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. The Korea Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale was used to assess instrumental activities of daily living. Correlation analyses examined the relationship between sleep-related parameters and cognitive function. Results: The results indicated no significant differences in PSQI-K and ESS scores between patients with MCI and the control group. Correlation analyses revealed that poorer sleep quality was associated with reduced frontal and executive functions in patients with MCI, particularly in tests such as Controlled Oral Word Association Test (supermarket, -0.311, p<0.001) and Trail Making Test (TMT) B (0.232, p<0.001). Additionally, daytime dysfunction was associated with poorer cognitive performance across language and executive domains (e.g., Korean Boston Naming Test: -0.290, p<0.001; TMTA: 0.248, p<0.001). In both groups, ISI scores were linked to cognitive functions, particularly in attention, phonemic fluency, and executive function (e.g., digit span, backward: -0.225, p<0.01; TMTA: 0.327, p<0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that sleep disturbances significantly impact cognitive function and daily living abilities in patients with MCI.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported sleep and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to understand potential implications for Alzheimer’s disease prevention. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 80 patients with MCI and 70 controls. Participants completed standardized questionnaires to assess self-reported sleep quality (Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI-K]), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]), and insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Seoul Neuropsychological Test and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. The Korea Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale was used to assess instrumental activities of daily living. Correlation analyses examined the relationship between sleep-related parameters and cognitive function. Results: The results indicated no significant differences in PSQI-K and ESS scores between patients with MCI and the control group. Correlation analyses revealed that poorer sleep quality was associated with reduced frontal and executive functions in patients with MCI, particularly in tests such as Controlled Oral Word Association Test (supermarket, -0.311, p<0.001) and Trail Making Test (TMT) B (0.232, p<0.001). Additionally, daytime dysfunction was associated with poorer cognitive performance across language and executive domains (e.g., Korean Boston Naming Test: -0.290, p<0.001; TMTA: 0.248, p<0.001). In both groups, ISI scores were linked to cognitive functions, particularly in attention, phonemic fluency, and executive function (e.g., digit span, backward: -0.225, p<0.01; TMTA: 0.327, p<0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that sleep disturbances significantly impact cognitive function and daily living abilities in patients with MCI.

Background: Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in promoting sustained behavioral changes across various fields.However, there is a lack of research on the application of MI in oral health education, targeting elementary school students in South Korea. This study aimed to develop an MI-based oral health education program to positively influence oral health behaviors and improve the oral health of elementary school students. Methods: The program was developed using Sussman’s curriculum development model in four stages: theoretical research and needs assessment; collection of program activity strategies; evaluation and review of activities; and final production of the program. The program was refined based on feedback from four experts to enhance its validity and effectiveness. Results: The final program consisted of five one-hour sessions. Fifteen activity sheets were created to align the contents of eachsession. The sessions incorporated key MI techniques, including open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries and information provision, with the goals of building rapport, assessing readiness for behavior change, exploring ambivalence, creating discrepancies, motivating change, and planning for action. The oral health education content was tailored to the level of upper elementary students, covering topics such as tooth structure and function, causes and progression of dental caries, Bass method of tooth brushing, use of dental floss and tongue cleaners, and identification of cariogenic foods. Conclusion This study is significant because it developed an MI-based program capable of promoting self-driven behavioralchange that moves beyond traditional lecture-based oral health education. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and exploring its applicability to other age groups.

Background: Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in promoting sustained behavioral changes across various fields.However, there is a lack of research on the application of MI in oral health education, targeting elementary school students in South Korea. This study aimed to develop an MI-based oral health education program to positively influence oral health behaviors and improve the oral health of elementary school students. Methods: The program was developed using Sussman’s curriculum development model in four stages: theoretical research and needs assessment; collection of program activity strategies; evaluation and review of activities; and final production of the program. The program was refined based on feedback from four experts to enhance its validity and effectiveness. Results: The final program consisted of five one-hour sessions. Fifteen activity sheets were created to align the contents of eachsession. The sessions incorporated key MI techniques, including open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries and information provision, with the goals of building rapport, assessing readiness for behavior change, exploring ambivalence, creating discrepancies, motivating change, and planning for action. The oral health education content was tailored to the level of upper elementary students, covering topics such as tooth structure and function, causes and progression of dental caries, Bass method of tooth brushing, use of dental floss and tongue cleaners, and identification of cariogenic foods. Conclusion This study is significant because it developed an MI-based program capable of promoting self-driven behavioralchange that moves beyond traditional lecture-based oral health education. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and exploring its applicability to other age groups.

Background: Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in promoting sustained behavioral changes across various fields.However, there is a lack of research on the application of MI in oral health education, targeting elementary school students in South Korea. This study aimed to develop an MI-based oral health education program to positively influence oral health behaviors and improve the oral health of elementary school students. Methods: The program was developed using Sussman’s curriculum development model in four stages: theoretical research and needs assessment; collection of program activity strategies; evaluation and review of activities; and final production of the program. The program was refined based on feedback from four experts to enhance its validity and effectiveness. Results: The final program consisted of five one-hour sessions. Fifteen activity sheets were created to align the contents of eachsession. The sessions incorporated key MI techniques, including open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries and information provision, with the goals of building rapport, assessing readiness for behavior change, exploring ambivalence, creating discrepancies, motivating change, and planning for action. The oral health education content was tailored to the level of upper elementary students, covering topics such as tooth structure and function, causes and progression of dental caries, Bass method of tooth brushing, use of dental floss and tongue cleaners, and identification of cariogenic foods. Conclusion This study is significant because it developed an MI-based program capable of promoting self-driven behavioralchange that moves beyond traditional lecture-based oral health education. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and exploring its applicability to other age groups.

Background: This study aimed to determine whether serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with various indices of liver damage in the adult Korean population. Methods: We used the Seventh (VII) Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. Our study population comprised 6,007 men and 8,488 women. Levels of SUA were divided into four groups (≤ 5.3, 5.3–6.0, 6.0–7.0, and > 7.0 mg/dL for men and ≤ 4.0, 4.0–4.8, 4.8–6.0, and > 6.0 mg/dL for women). Elevated liver enzyme levels were defined as > 35 (men) and > 31 (women) IU/L for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), > 45 (men) and > 34 (women) IU/L for alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Hepatic steatosis index and fibrosis (FIB)-4 index was used to determine nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver FIB, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated by logistic regression analysis for liver enzymes, NAFLD, and liver FIB, according to the SUA level. Results: Among women, the 4.8–6.0 and > 6.0 mg/dL SUA groups showed higher ORs of elevated AST (aOR, 1.78 and 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.32 and 1.40–2.96, respectively; P < 0.001) and the 4.0–4.8, 4.8–6.0, and > 6.0 mg/dL SUA groups showed a higher ORs of ALT elevation (aOR, 1.35, 2.26, and 2.37; 95% CI, 1.02–1.79, 1.72–2.97, and 1.60–3.50, respectively; P < 0.001) compared to the lowest level SUA group. Among women with normal ALT, > 6.0 mg/dL SUA group showed higher OR of NAFLD status (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06–2.19). Among men and women with NAFLD, hyperuricemia showed higher ORs of liver FIB (aOR, 2.25 and 1.89; 95% CI, 1.21–4.19 and 1.09–3.27, respectively) than the lowest level SUA group. Conclusion High SUA levels may be associated with elevated liver enzymes and NAFLD, mainly in women. Even in women with normal ALT levels, SUA levels may predict the NAFLD status. Hyperuricemia may predict advanced liver FIB in both men and women with NAFLD. Further studies investigating the causal effects of SUA on liver damage are required.