Aims & Objectives

This lecture explores the pivotal role of patient engagement in the successful management of periodontal disease, with a focus on the evidence-based recommendations of the EFP & BSP S3 guidelines. We will examine why shifting patients from passive recipients of advice to active participants in their oral health journey is essential, and how to do it effectively in real-world practice.

Drawing on behavioural science and clinical insight, we will explore some of the reasons why many patients struggle to commit to consistent oral hygiene routines, unpacking the psychological and practical barriers that contribute to this gap between good intentions and daily actions.

We will also explore how to restructure appointments to make engagement, education, and empowerment a core focus.The session will cover how to teach oral hygiene techniques in a way that sticks, moving beyond generic instruction to hands-on, guided coaching that supports muscle memory and habit formation. We will review the role of clinical indices in monitoring plaque control and examine which ones provide the most meaningful, motivational feedback to patients.

Attendees will also learn simple, fast, and effective communication techniques to help patients understand their current oral health status, connect with their goals, and take ownership of their outcomes.Designed to re-energise your approach to patient engagement, this lecture will provide practical, actionable strategies to improve both short-term behaviour and long-term periodontal outcomes, ensuring that oral hygiene advice is truly made to measure for every patient.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this webinar, the audience will be able to:

• Describe the key elements of the EFP S3 guidelines relating to patient engagement, including the characteristics of engaging and non-engaging patients.
• Identify common barriers that prevent patients from adopting and maintaining effective oral hygiene behaviours.
• Implement simple, time-efficient techniques to improve communication, enhance understanding of clinical findings, and support patients in setting tailored, achievable oral hygiene goals.

This CPD course meets the criteria for the GDC's development outcomes C