Analysis of patient factors impacting duration of periodontal maintenance appointments: an exploratory study.
OBJECTIVE
The periodontal maintenance (PM) appointment requires varying amounts of time and is absolutely essential for long-term successful periodontal therapy. This study assessed time requirements for PM and relative contribution of patient-level factors such as oral health status, complex medical history, maintenance compliance and demographics.


METHODS
One hundred patients receiving PM in a graduate periodontal program at a dental school participated in this cross sectional, observational study and components of their PM were timed in minutes/seconds. Descriptive data were obtained for average total-time required for PM and relative time for each treatment component. Hierarchical multiple linear regression determined what patient-level factors demonstrated the greatest impact on total-time to complete PM.


RESULTS
The average PM appointment interval, with radiographs, was 1 hour, 16 minutes, 23 seconds (SD 19:25 minutes). When cubicle preparation and disinfection was included, the total-time was 1 hour, 24 minutes, 31 seconds (±19:32 minutes). Multiple regression showed that BOP, dentist examinations, number of carious lesions and/or restorative defects, number of teeth/implants, taking radiographs, female gender and deposit aggregate (supragingival and subgingival calculus and stain) were significant predictors of total PM duration and explained 57% variance (p<0.05, R2=0.569).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the average comprehensive PM appointment time of 1:16 minutes, the typical appointment of 60 minutes is insufficient to achieve the goals of a comprehensive PM in this academic clinic setting. These findings suggest the need to utilize more customized models for scheduling PM in order to achieve time allocations that are individualized to address specific patients' needs.
Connie L
CL
Jamison
Kimberly K
KK
Bray
John W
JW
Rapley
Simon R
SR
Macneill
Karen B
KB
Williams
D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003190:Comprehensive Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors
appointment and schedules; continuity of patient care; dental prophylaxis; oral hygiene; patient care planning; periodontal disease/therapy