Development and validation of a printed educational material for patients undergoing periodontal treatment

OBJECTIVE: Develop and validate a Printed Educational Material (PEM), based on scientific evidence, to be used as an adjunct agent in the oral hygiene instruction process, during periodontal treatment. METHODS: In this qualitative study, the instrument was developed according to the methods proposed by theoretical references, to be used during periodontal treatment. The evaluation was carried out with dental surgeons and specialists in Periodontics, through questionnaires; and with patients, through semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: The PEM exceeded the minimum rate of 80% agreement between professionals and patient evaluators. A professional in the linguistic area also evaluated the developed material, concluding that the instrument is understandable by people who studied up to the fifth year of elementary school. The format and layout of the texts and figures were considered pleasant by the interviewed patients. CONCLUSION: The PEM was developed and validated with adequate information, from the professional point of view and according to the needs of the patients, and it can constitute a useful auxiliary tool for patients during periodontal treatment.