The lived experience of performing a periodontal treatment in the context of general dentistry

AIM: To describe what characterises the lived experience of performing a periodontal treatment in the context of general dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dental hygienists from general dentistry in Sweden, were purposively selected as participants and interviewed. The participants described a situation in which they had performed a periodontal treatment. The descriptions were analysed using the descriptive phenomenological psychological method. RESULTS: The general meaning structure of the lived experience of performing a periodontal treatment comprised five constituents, (a) an established treatment routine, (b) importance of oral hygiene, (c) self-awareness and motivation of the patient, (d) support and doubt, and (e) mechanical infection control. The periodontal treatment is perceived as being set prior to its commencement and as following established routines, in which the patients’ oral hygiene is experienced as a crucial part. The patients’ self-awareness and a supportive clinician are seen as important factors in motivating the patient towards positive behavioural change, although there is a presence of doubt in patients’ ability to maintain this positive change. Mechanical infection control is perceived as successful but sometimes difficult to perform. CONCLUSIONS: Important, patient-related, factors are constituting the phenomenon of performing a periodontal treatment but an experience that the pre-existing standardised workflow influences patient management was also present.