A longitudinal study to evaluate self-perception of patients after non-surgical periodontal treatment

Background: Patient’s positive perception after periodontal treatment is one of the main factors for the success of the periodontal therapy. The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate the perceptions of subjects regarding nonsurgical periodontal treatment over a period of 1 year. Materials and methods: Twenty-five subjects (42.14 ± 4.65 years) with moderate to severe periodontitis completed a questionnaire at two different times after a nonsurgical periodontal treatment: 30 days and 390 days. The questionnaire included 40 questions which were divided into three parts: 1-perception of subject regarding changes in clinical signs of periodontal disease, 2-psychological aspects of the subject regarding their oral health status, and 3-satisfaction with the treatment. Each response was scored on the Likert scale initially ranging from 1 to 5 points. The results for each question were dichotomized into 1 or 0, respectively, showing if the subject was favourable or unfavourable to treatment. A descriptive data analysis was performed, assessing the agreement of the results in T1 and T2 (Kappa). Results: The results generally showed a favourable perception related to the treatment and continued satisfaction over time. The exceptions were in regards to gingival recession, persistent bleeding and bad breath, and difficulty in performing the mechanical control imposed by the professional. Conclusion: It was concluded that the therapy used was satisfactory to the subjects and that a favourable perception was maintained after 1 year of follow-up.