Patients' Experience With Periodontitis at Brest Dental University Hospital: A Qualitative Study

Periodontitis is a chronic, inflammatory and multifactorial disease. It progressively destroys the tooth-supporting tissues. Most of the treatment consists of the patient acquiring self-care skills thanks to the practitioner's guidance.

This study was undertaken to explore the experiences of patients suffering from periodontitis and to better understand the levers and barriers to their motivation and adherence to treatment.

A qualitative study using an exhaustive sample of patients suffering from periodontitis involved in individual semi-structured interviews, was carried out. Data were collected and analysed using a thematic analysis technique until saturation point.

Fourteen patients were included. Four themes were identified: medical care, empowerment, disease understanding and quality of life. Patients generally understood the disease, its peculiarities and its treatments, which helps for empowerment. Treatments for periodontitis generally improved patients' quality of life, particularly by reducing tooth mobility or halitosis. They also noted that the patient-professional relationship was a key point for treatment adherence.

This study provides a better understanding of the experience of periodontitis patients across all dimensions of the disease. It also highlights the possible need for a therapeutic education program on comprehensive oral health care. Further studies could complement this research.