Salt and Peroxide Compared with Conventional Oral Hygiene III. Patient Compliance and Acceptance

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate patient compliance with, and acceptance of, a salt and peroxide oral hygiene regimen compared with conventional oral hygiene regimens without or with the use of phase-contrast microscope viewing of subgingival plaque over a period of 2 years. A total of 231 subjects with early to moderate periodontitis were randomly divided into four groups. All groups were repeatedly instructed and motivated in their respective regimens. Subjects also received scaling and root planing using clinical and microbial criteria. Compliance with, and acceptance of, the two oral hygiene regimens were determined at the end of the study using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Results indicated that 74% and 58% (P .ltoreq. 0.01) of subjects in the conventional and salt/peroxide groups, respectively, use their assigned regimen 4 to 7 days a week during the entire study. More than half of the subjects (54%) using each of the oral hygiene regimens indicated that they flossed once daily. Inconvenience was cited by 23% of the conventional and 43% of the salt/peroxide groups (P .ltoreq. 0.01) as the main reason for not using their regimens. Twenty-three per cent of conventional group and 14% of salt/peroxide group indicated that they shared their oral hygiene supplies with others. Eighty per cent and 57% (P .ltoreq. 0.01) of the conventional and salt/peroxide groups, respectively, stated that they liked their regimens. Ninety-six per cent of all subjects felt that their regimen helped their periodontal status. Most subjects that microscopically viewed their subgingival plaque had a strong perception that such viewing significantly contributed to their understanding of their own periodontal conditions and motivated them to practice better oral hygiene. There is no evidence in terms of self-reported behavior, however, to support their perceptions.