Evaluation of cause-related periodontal therapy and compliance with maintenance care recommendations.

An evaluation of the long-term clinical effects of an intense period of cause-related periodontal therapy provided by dental hygiene students, was made in patients with moderately advanced periodontitis. By the evaluation, we also intended to gain information about compliance with given recommendations for periodontal health maintenance. The results after 3 years without supervision by the specialist team showed that achieved beneficial effects on the gingival conditions were maintained despite a significant increase in plaque prevalence. Recommendations as to the daily use of a variety of additional oral hygienic measures besides toothbrushing met with a considerable lack of compliance. Maintenance visits to the referring general practitioner were mostly made once a year and included regular dental care. Despite this, no further deterioration of periodontal status was observed. The results indicate that it may be possible to maintain successful effects of periodontal therapy in this patient category with less personal and professional effort than traditionally recommended.