SASPIO Webinar

Empowering Patients and Students in Periodontics: The 20-80 Rule and Effective Patient Education. Training Future Practitioners to Educate and Engage Patients for Optimal Oral Health

Date: 25 September 2024 (WEB198)

Time: 19:00 - 20:30

Speaker: Dr Michaela Beetge

This webinar emphasizes the concept of the 20-80 rule in periodontics, highlighting the shared responsibility between clinicians and patients and underscoring the importance of training students in patient education. It aims to equip future practitioners with the skills to educate patients, even in challenging environments. The 20-80 rule in periodontics, also known as the "Pareto Principle," is an informal guideline suggesting that 20% of the effort comes from the clinician, while the remaining 80% of results depend significantly on the patient's involvement and effort to achieve optimal outcomes. In practical terms, this means that while periodontal treatment and maintenance provided by dental professionals are crucial, the patient's role in maintaining oral hygiene and following recommended care at home is equally, if not more, important for long-term success. Proper brushing, flossing, and adherence to periodontal maintenance schedules are vital for preventing disease recurrence and maintaining oral health. The principle emphasizes the shared responsibility between the clinician and the patient in achieving optimal periodontal health.

About the Presenter:

I received my dental degree (cum laude) in 2008 at the University of Pretoria. I completed my community service year in Parys, Free State before working in private practice. At the same time, I was part-time employed at the University of Pretoria as a session doctor. In 2011, I obtained my Postgraduate Diploma in Aesthetic Dentistry (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria. In 2015, I completed my master's degree in Oral Medicine and Periodontics (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria. In 2020 I completed a 2-year SAFRI(FAIMER) fellowship and obtained my postgraduate diploma (cum laude in Health Professions Education and Leadership in 2024.

1 Clinical CPD Point