Evaluation of the effect of various factors on patient compliance among patients visiting Govt. Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar

Background: Patient compliance plays a decisive role in the outcome of periodontal therapy. Although a number of reports have studied patient compliance and its variables during supportive periodontal therapy, there is a paucity of literature on factors affecting compliance to active periodontal therapy. Moreover, as health beliefs largely stem out of social/religious/ethnic convictions, population specific compliance studies are highly relevant. It is foreseeable, that early identification of compliance-affecting variable will enable institution of a timely and personalized patient education/ motivation programme. Aim: To elucidate factors which affect patient compliance during active periodontal therapy in patients visiting Government dental college and hospital, Srinagar. Materials and methods: 150 patients were included in the study for performance of active periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) over 3-5 visits every 5 days. They were subjected to pre-validated questionnaire to assess their sociodemographic factors, oral health awareness (OHA) and treatment satisfaction (TS). Results: Sociodemographic factors (education, emplyoyment and gender), OHA and most of all TS were found to influence patient compliance in the given population. Conclusion: Certain sociodemographic factors have a bearing on patient compliance and may be assessed as predictors of compliance to therapy. As treatment satisfaction has a profound effect on the patient's willingness to return for treatment, it should be an objective of the overall clinical practice. Pertinently, the crucial role of the periodontist in patient education and management should be realized and utilized to achieve predictable compliance.