The document summarizes new research that supports assessing patient risk and providing preventive treatment for periodontal disease. The research studied over 5,100 patients over 16 years and found that individuals at low risk for periodontal disease had similar tooth loss rates with annual or biannual preventive dental visits, while high-risk individuals saw better periodontal health when visiting twice per year. High-risk patients with multiple risk factors like smoking, diabetes, or specific genes may need preventive visits more than twice per year. The findings support providing personalized preventive care based on a patient's specific risk profile or diagnosis.

1. Brian H. Williams, D.D.S., F.A.G.D., Ltd.
9825 E. Bell Road, Suite 140, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Office: (480) 889-1800 Fax: (480) 889-0156
Brian@BrianWilliamsDDS.com
http://www.BrianWilliamsDDS.com
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
New Research Supports Assessing Risk,
Preventive Treatment for Periodontal Disease
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) supports new research
published online in the Journal of Dental Research confirming the need for
careful risk assessment to determine which patients may benefit from
additional treatment to prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease
impacts over half of the U.S. adult population, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The AAP recommends that all
patients receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation once a year to
effectively screen and assess risk for disease, and to guide preventive care.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum
tissue and bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease
can lead to tooth loss. Common risk factors for periodontal disease include
the presence of other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, poor
oral hygiene, smoking, age, and genetics.
In the study titled “Patient Stratification for Preventive Care in Dentistry,”
researchers assessed a patient’s risk for periodontal disease to determine if
visiting the dentist once or twice a year helped prevent long-term
consequences of periodontal disease. Patients were classified as high-risk
for periodontal disease if they had one or more of three commonly observed
risk factors: smoking, diabetes or the interleukin-1 genotype. Patients were
considered low-risk if they did not possess any of the three risk factors. Loss
of teeth was assessed as the consequence of moderate to severe periodontal
disease. Over 5,100 patients were evaluated over 16 years.

2. The findings indicate that individuals at a low risk for periodontal disease
experience no significant difference in tooth loss rates whether they
received one preventive dental visit or two. However, high-risk individuals
saw better periodontal health outcomes when they visited the dentist twice
a year, and the data suggest that those high risk individuals with more than a
single risk factor may need more than twice yearly preventive visits.
According to Nancy L. Newhouse, DDS, MS, President of the American
Academy of Periodontology and a practicing periodontist in Independence,
Missouri, the results underscore the importance of regular, preventive care.
“An annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation includes a thorough
assessment of periodontal health, including a detailed inventory of any risk
factors for disease. A dental professional should examine your mouth once a
year to identify existing periodontal disease as well as assess risk for future
disease. For some patients, this once-a-year visit is sufficient. However,
according to the study patients with increased risk for periodontal disease
warrant additional preventive visits.”
Dr. Newhouse believes that these findings may also help dental
professionals provide smarter, more efficient care. “Given the prevalence of
periodontal disease in this country, the findings support patients receiving
personalized periodontal care catered to their specific risk profile or
diagnosis.”
perio.org