Necessity of Collaborative Health Care for Patients with Stage III and IV Periodontitis: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aim:

To understand the barriers and facilitators faced by clinicians in the treatment of periodontitis and to explore the barriers and facilitators to periodontal care encountered by patients when navigating the health care system.

Materials and Methods:

Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with clinicians (n = 22) and patients (n = 18) selected through purposive sampling. Audio recordings were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify key issues.

Results:

Four main themes were identified by clinicians: 1) psychological barriers and dissatisfaction caused by uncertain treatment outcomes when managing periodontitis; 2) professional barriers caused by referral processes and decisions about shared care; 3) barriers caused by patients’ undervaluing specialist care; and 4) participatory care, standardized referral processes, and aligning treatment expectations in primary and tertiary care–facilitated management. Three main themes were identified for patients: 1) first contact with general dentists facilitated patients’ perceptions about good dental care; 2) recognizing the emotional and social impact of periodontitis promoted health seeking and engagement in dental care; and 3) problems with navigating and understanding the health care system negatively affected patients’ journeys. Both groups highlighted the importance of primary care services in playing a key role in managing periodontitis and raising public awareness of periodontitis.

Conclusion:

Close collaboration between primary and tertiary levels of health care is required to ensure an efficient referral process and continuity of care. Prioritizing empathetic approaches and raising awareness of periodontitis at clinical and policy levels is needed to address the structural and interpersonal barriers in care delivery.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Primary care services play a key role in treating patients with periodontitis. Closer collaboration is required to ensure a seamless transition of care between specialists and general dental practitioners. Patients need to be engaged and play a participatory role when planning for care integration at a health care system level. Greater public health education is needed to improve awareness of the etiology and treatment of periodontitis.