Compliance with supportive periodontal therapy. Part 1. Risk of non-compliance in the first 5-year period

Background: Supportive periodontal therapy (SIT) 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 (less than or equal to 20; 21 to 30; 31 to 40; 41 to 50; and greater than or equal to 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 (less than or equal to 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.