Evaluation of patients' compliance in different age groups: preventive methodology.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the SSRD Department of University of Milan PREVENTION PROGRAM between subjects of different sex and ages. METHODS: Prevention Program is divided into six stages, in which specific and standardized procedures are effected on patient; then checkups are planned after three months. Ninety patients (48 females, 42 males) were included. Subjects were divided into three ages groups: 6-9, 10-12 and over 12 years old. Plaque Index, Bleeding Index, and quantitative and qualitative variations of bacterial plaque were considered. RESULTS: Remarkable results were obtained regarding both the effective reduction of bacterial oral flora and patient's compliance and learning, especially in the group of patients older than 10 years. The new values of parameters recorded at the end of the study showed that all the subjects included in the sample had an improvement of compliance in oral hygiene, in particular: 1) P.I. level 3, 10-12 age, female; 2) B.I. level 4, males over 10, female 6-9 age; 3) quantitative and qualitative variations of bacterial plaque, level 4, all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patient instruction and motivation allow to obtain optimal results in particular in patients aged more than 10 years.