Periodontitis/Diabetes Link

Evidence of the link between periodontal disease and diabetes continues to grow, as indicated in a recent article by Robert Finn of Elsevier’s Global Medical News. Diabetes appears to induce periodontal disease or cause it to worsen in some patients, but periodontal disease seems to worsen glycemic control.

Evidence to support this conclusion stems in part from the “Scottsdale Project”.  The project consisted of 18 physicians, dentists, and other independent experts who met in Scottsdale, Arizona in April 2007 to review the strength of evidence for associations among periodontitis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Participants conducted a systematic review of 118 published articles in an attempt to answer eight focused questions. 

Other data comes from analyses of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Read the full article, which contains additional resources, here.

Information on the connection between periodontits and systemic diseases was also discussed in an earlier post on this blog.

Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Chronic Diseases

The association between periodontal diseases and systemic conditions such as heart disease and stroke, and a higher risk of preterm low birth-weight babies, is garnering attention in the media. Similarly, recognition of the threats posed by periodontal diseases to patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, respiratory diseases and osteoporosis is acknowledged.

The following are some links to recent stories and resources on these topics:

• Recent publications in PubMed.
• Colgate White Papers:  Markers of Systemic Bacterial Exposure in Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• MedlinePlus: Gum Care Helps Control Type 2 Diabetes and Its Complications , Gum Disease Might Boost Cancer Risk,
• American Academy of Periodontolgy:  The Mouth/Body Connection
• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse:  Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your teeth and gums healthy
• American Heart Association: Good dental hygiene may help prevent heart infection
• American Dental Association:  Periodontal Disease and Systemic Conditions ; Dentists discuss oral health at landmark meeting

Periodontal Disease and Systemic Health

In January of 2008, the New York Academy of Science (NYAC) hosted From Basic Science to Clinical Practice and Policy: A Medical-Dental Dialogue on the Relationship between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Health.  The event was a continuing medical education activity also organized by the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, and the National Periodontal Disease Coalition.

A full report of the meeting may be read here.

Presentations from this conference may be viewed by selecting the title on this page.  Topics include periodontits and vascular disease, preterm birth, kidney disease, renal disease and more.

NYAC has also provided an overview, meeting abstracts, information on the presenters, and other resources as part of it’s e-briefing.

New Review: Treatment of Adult Chronic Periodontitis

The Cochrane Oral Health Group has published a new review “Full-mouth disinfection for the treatment of adult chronic periodontitis”.  The objective of the review was to evaluate the effectiveness of full-mouth disinfection or full-mouth scaling compared to conventional quadrant scaling for periodontitis.

Read the abstract here.

American Academy of Periodontology Releases Statement on Risk Assessment

Statement intended to help dental professionals better manage patients’ oral health

As part of its ongoing commitment to the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases, the American Academy of Periodontology released a Statement on Risk Assessment . Published in the February issue of the Journal of Periodontology, the statement is intended to encourage dental professionals to use risk assessment as a key component of all comprehensive dental and periodontal evaluations.

Read the full statement here.