Compliance with supportive periodontal therapy. Part 1. Risk of non-compliance in the first 5-year period.
BACKGROUND
Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) is needed for the success of periodontal therapy; however, patient compliance is poor. This study evaluates records from non-compliant patients in an attempt to identify a profile of patients with a higher risk of becoming non-compliant.


METHODS
Data on 874 patients who had completed active periodontal treatment up to 5 years earlier and who had begun SPT were analyzed for risk of non-compliance. The factors evaluated were gender (326 males and 548 females); type of therapy (surgical or non-surgical) and age (< or =20; 21 to 30; 31 to 40; 41 to 50; and > or =51 years) and the relationships among them.


RESULTS
The overall rate of non-compliance was 46.8%, and the relative risk for non-compliance was greater in the younger age groups (< or =40 years old) when compared to the older groups. Gender, age, and type of therapy as independent factors were not significant risk factors for non-compliance, but the association of the 3 factors produced interesting results.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that certain patient groups have a higher risk of non-compliance and that clinicians should intensify their efforts in motivating and instructing these patient groups in the importance of SPT.
School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. novaesjr@forp.usp.br
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Novaes
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Novaes
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors