A quality improvement project to assess the use of visual aids to improve understanding and motivation in periodontal patients

Aims A quality improvement project was carried out in a General Dental Practice in London. The aim was to improve understanding and motivation in periodontal patients. Methods Research into interventions in the medical field to improve understanding and motivation amongst patients, lead to the idea of using visual aids to help motivate periodontal patients and to improve their understanding of the disease. The results from the first Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle using visual aids are presented. Results After the use of visual aids, patients felt more motivated in maintaining good oral hygiene, felt the visual aids improved their understanding of gum disease and how to take care of their gums and teeth. One hundred percent of patients preferred their diagnosis to be explained to them with visual aids. Discussion The project supported the increase in motivation and understanding in periodontal patients. However further data is required to learn more about how visual aids influence patient behaviour, how effective they are in improving patients' understanding and motivation, and other factors which play a role in this. Conclusions The results of this quality improvement project are promising; it has highlighted that visual aids can have a place in the management of periodontitis in general practice.