Periodontal self‐examination A motivational tool in periodontics

Abstract

The institution of proper oral hygiene procedures and habits is a learning process. This paper describes a self-instructing periodontal self-examination program to be used in the initial phase of periodontal treatment. The program was designed in an effort to facilitate learning by taking the teaching conditions into consideration. The program tries to utilize the patient's curiosity and need for activity and to involve the patient himself in an effort to make the patient apprehend the relevance of subject matter. The program also allows for an individualized learning speed of the patient. The self-examination program was tested on 108 periodontal patients (19-75 years of age) and the patients' findings were compared to those made by a dentist. Questionnaires before and after the self-examination were used in the evaluation of opinions of the patient. The present study showed that the patients were able to perform the self-examination without individual professional guidance. A rather close correlation was noted between findings made by the patient and the dentist. Furthermore, the program was well accepted and appreciated by the patients according to their answers on the questionnaires.

Periodontal Diseases and the Risk of Coronary Heart and Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Meta‐Analysis

“…However, one study reported strong agreement between self-reported oral health with the help of self-examination and clinical examination by a dentist. 32 Based on two cohort studies only, our meta-analysis shows that tooth loss did not increase the risk of CHD. Nevertheless, one should not exclude that tooth loss may lead to changes in diet, which could increase CHD risk.…”

Periodontal awareness among adult Finns in 1972 and 1990

“…Oral self-care skills are important in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease (5), but to achieve and maintain a high level of oral hygiene require motivation as well as self-evaluation and perception of one's periodontal condition (6). On the other hand, high periodontal awareness alone seems not to result in appropriate periodontal health habits: behavioral changes require understanding, retention, and utilization of periodontal knowledge (1).…”

Validity and limitations of self‐reported periodontal health

“…Dental health has been assessed in both adults (6) and adolescents (7). Hardly any studies have evaluated this (4,8) and, to our knowledge, only four have compared periodontal parameters and self-assessment (4,(9)(10)(11). Hardly any studies have evaluated this (4,8) and, to our knowledge, only four have compared periodontal parameters and self-assessment (4,(9)(10)(11).…”