Do accompanying persons have any influence on adherence to postoperative instructions given to dental patients? A study of two cohorts of patients

Abstract

The study set out to evaluate the level of understanding and compliance to postoperative instructions and satisfaction to treatment received in two cohorts of patients, accompanied and unaccompanied, one week after forceps extraction of first mandibular permanent molar. It was a comparative study carried out over a three year period, using questionnaire administered to the two cohorts of patients. All patients claimed they understood post-operative instructions on the 7th day, but in control group 1.3% failed to swallow saliva. Some patients (accompanied 21.3%, control 25.0%) did not comply with resumption of normal day`s activity after treatment (P= 0.596). In both groups, patients were satisfied with the treatment received. The outcome suggests that in presence or absence of accompanying persons, patients who have undergone extractions and were given post-operative instructions in verbal and written forms would adhere to instructions.