This article, reprinted with the permission of the Ontario Dental Association and Ontario Dentist 2013, offers an introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its potential for improving the overall process of oral health care for patients and dental staff. Like any new skill, MI takes learning and practise. With training, you can take MI (an evidence-based, patient-centred communication method) and include it in the repertoire of your dental practices and skills so you can more effectively meet your patients’ oral health needs.