Abstract

Background: Periodontal maintenance is an integral part of periodontal therapy. For patients with a history of inflammatory periodontal diseases, periodontal maintenance starts after the completion of active periodontal therapy and continues at varying intervals for the life of the dentition. Accordingly, inadequate control of the dental biofilm may result in recolonization of the subgingival area by periodontal pathogenic microorganisms
and compromise the results of the periodontal treatment leading to loss of dentition. This study aimed to evaluate the level of adherence to the Periodontal Maintenance Program (PMP) among periodontitis patients visiting Dental Hospital Qassim University and to measure their condition’s progress.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 patients. The patients had undergone periodontal therapy (scaling and root planning) and basic oral hygiene instructions. Gingival index and plaque index were used at baseline and after 3 months of PMP as examination records to evaluate patients’ compliance to the program.
Results: A significant increase in patients’ compliance to the PMP program lead to improvement in their periodontal health.
Conclusion: Using technology to remind the patients and provide them with repeated instructions increase their compliance with the PMP.

Key words: Periodontitis, periodontal maintenance program, gingival index, plaque index