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.
Novaes
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AB
School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. novaesjr@forp.usp.br
Novaes
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AB
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