EFFECTIVE GROUP BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION FOR OLDER PERIODONTAL PATIENTS

A randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of a group-based behav ior modification intervention on oral hygiene skills, adherence and cl inical outcomes for older periodontal patients. Subjects (n = 107) wer e aged 50-70 yr with moderate periodontal disease. They were randomly assigned to usual care or intervention. Intervention consisted of 5 we ekly, 90-min sessions that included skill training, self-monitoring, w eekly feedback about bleeding points and group support focused on long -term habit change. Four-month follow-up indicated significant improve ments in the intervention versus the usual periodontal maintenance gro up for oral hygiene skills and self-reported flossing (p<0.001), plaqu e, gingival bleeding, bleeding upon probing throughout the mouth, and pocket depth for sulcus depths that measured between 3 and 6 mm at bas eline (p<0.009): Group oral health intervention provides an effective and relatively inexpensive means of helping patients improve their sel f-care skills and achieve high levels of adherence to an effective sel f-care regimen.