Improving Chronic Periodontal Disease Management through Locally Delivered Chlorhexidine Chip
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Tesema, Lidet
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- Embargoed until 2026-05-10
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Abstract
Problem: Chronic periodontal disease affects adult patients at a small private dental clinic despite standard treatments such as scaling, root planing, and oral antibiotics. In 2022, 57% of patients aged 18 and above who underwent these procedures still experienced ongoing periodontal infections, highlighting a gap in the current treatment's efficacy. Purpose: This quality improvement project aims to asses provider adherence for the implementation of the new guideline to enhance the management of chronic periodontal disease. Methods: This project involved 45 adult patients diagnosed with chronic periodontal disease, one dentist, three dental hygienists, six dental assistants, and three administrative staff members. The implementation began with a one-week staff training session in August 2024, during which PowerPoint presentations were delivered. The clinical intervention phase spanned 15 weeks, during which front desk personnel alerted dental assistants upon the arrival of eligible patients. The dental assistants then ensured that the dentist administered the chlorhexidine chips during the clinical encounters. The entire process was documented in the electronic health records (EHR), and the project lead conducted weekly chart audits to monitor adherence to the new treatment plan. Regular biweekly group discussions were held to review progress and address challenges with stakeholders. To further promote adherence, laminated posters were strategically placed throughout the clinic as reminders for staff. Results: Providers maintained nearly 100% compliance in most weeks, with only minor deviations observed in Weeks 6, 7, and 13 when adherence briefly dropped to 90%. Conclusion: The project demonstrated that implementing structured monitoring and targeted intervention strategies, such as regular audits and provider training, effectively enhances adherence to periodontal disease management protocols.
