Mario Rui Arujo

Supportive and maintenance strategies in oral health: a psychological look.

Understanding the psychology behind dental patients helps oral health professionals provide appropriate care and support to patients, considering not only the physical aspects but also the psychological impact of dental treatments on individuals' lives. Behaviour change interventions are crucial in dental interventions because they help patients adopt and maintain positive oral health behaviours, leading to successful outcomes and long-term satisfaction. Successful dental interventions typically involve so many procedures aimed at enhancing the appearance of the patients, their wellbeing and an healthy state of mind. However, the effectiveness and longevity of these interventions depend not only on the dental procedures themselves but also on the patient's oral hygiene practices and lifestyle choices. Should we have a role managing those?

Prof. dr Mario Rui Araujo, has PhD in Psychology (2021) by the University of Lisbon (Psychology School) and master degree in Health Psychology (1999). His research in the area of behaviour change, focuses in the joint role of self-regulatory processus in daily oral health protetctive behaviours to enhance patient's health. He is graduated of Dental Hygiene program at the University of Lisbon and earned a bachelor's degree in Science (Dental Hygiene) from the University of Washington, Seattle. For the last 30 years he has been a teacher and focus on the behavioural areas of the oral health. He is also an International speaker in oral health behavior modification and communication skills, having delivered nemeruos guest lectures in various contries of the world. He has publications and articles on behaiour modification and periodontal health in international journals. He is adjunctive proffesor and director of the Dental Hygiene Program atPortalegre Health School. Lives in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal where he also worked as a clinical/behavioral dental hygienist. One wife, 4 kids, 3 cats and play with Lego Serious Play Facilitator