PROcedura di COmunicazione in Prevenzione per la motivazione del paziente

Abstract

Objectives

To suggest a communication method that makes the patient recall effective, and present the Preventive Communication Procedure (PROcedura di COmunicazione in Prevenzione, PROCOP) adopted by the authors.

Materials and methods

The fundamental elements to optimise patient recall are: when to make the recall appointment; who is to make the recall appointment; how the recall appointment is managed. The two documents used to contact patients are presented, aimed at increasing their level of permanent motivation: the PROCOP presentation letter and the form-questionnaire, to be filled in and brought along to the recall appointment.

Results and conclusions

The proposed programme is based on two key concepts: patients must become collaborators-allies fully involved in the prevention process, which not only regards their mouth, but their entire lifestyle; the patient must accept the dental surgery to have responsibility to maintain what we suggest can be called motivating external memory.