The result of periodontal treatment in relationship to various background factors

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether various background factors of patients play a role for the result of periodontal treatment and whether their attitudes towards prevention change during treatment. The study was carried out as a retrospective analysis using data obtained during periodontal treatment of 143 patients. The result of the treatment was assessed by the recording of presence or absence of gingival bleeding by probing prior to treatment and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The background factors were assessed by letting the patients answer a questionnaire about their dental history, tooth cleaning habits and knowledge about their own dental health situation. Moreover, they responded to statements regarding their attitudes to and general knowledge about prevention of dental diseases. 89 of the patients were asked again 3 months later to respond to these statements. After treatment, 3 groups were formed on the basis of the 12-month gingival score: a successful treatment group (S) comprising 79 patients with a gingival bleeding score of 20% or less, a non-successful treatment group (N) comprising 49 patients with more than 20% tooth surfaces showing bleeding and a drop-out group (D) of 15 patients who did not appear for the 12-month examination. No statistically significant difference was found in the various background factors of patients with a successful or a non-successful treatment result. However, dropping out showed a significant relationship to unfavorable dental beliefs and young age (P less than 0.005). Following treatment, the patients responded more favorably to statements about oral hygiene as a preventive means.