Motivating the patient following periodontal therapy

The importance of compliance or adherence to instructions during periodontal maintenance therapy has been documented in a number of publications (Wilson, 1996; Renz et al, 2007). These authors stressed that the treatment of periodontal disease by dental care professionals is based predominately around effective patient self-care, mainly in the form of oral hygiene procedures.

During the course of periodontal treatment, and the subsequent maintenance of the condition, supportive periodontal therapy may be provided in the form of the removal of any local risk factors in the oral cavity that may prevent effective patient self-care. Other associated systemic and environmental risk factors, such as smoking and dietary control, may also be addressed prior to, and during, the treatment and post-treatment phase (maintenance therapy) (Jin et al, 2003; Renz et al, 2007). However, it is important to acknowledge that even with professional intervention some patients are unable to perform effective oral hygiene measures in order to maintain periodontal health. There may be reasons as to why they may be unable to achieve these goals—for example, lack of motivation, finance, on-going health issues, fear, failure to see the need for further treatment or the perceived lack of periodontal maintenance by the dental care professional (Fardal, 2011).