Objective To explore the effect of targeted nursing based on behavior change theory on periodontal indexes in patients with dental implant. Methods A total of 100 patients with dental implants admitted to Baohe District Outpatient Department of Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from January to December 2023 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into control group and experimental group by random number table method, with 50 patients in each group. The control group was given routine nursing intervention, and the experimental group was given targeted nursing intervention based on behavioral change theory. The oral health behavior, health status around the implant, quality of life, patient satisfaction and implant success rate were compared between the two groups. Results The proportion of single brushing time ≥3 min, brushing times ≥3 times a day, and brushing teeth with vibration method in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). After nursing, mSBl, mPLI and PD in the two groups were lower than those before nursing, and those in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The scores of pain and discomfort, functional limitation, psychological and social impact in the two groups after nursing were lower than those before nursing, and those in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The satisfaction rate of patients in the experimental group was 96.00%, which was higher than 84.00% in the control group (P <0.05). The success rate of implantation in the experimental group was 98.00%, which was higher than 86.00% in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion The effect of targeted nursing based on behavior change theory in dental implant patients is ideal, which can make patients maintain good oral hygiene habits, improve the health around implants, and improve the quality of life, satisfaction and success rate of implantation.