Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Periodontal Diseases Released Today
Guidelines published in September Journal of Periodontology will help clinicians identify if and
when a patient should be referred to a periodontist
CHICAGO—September 5, 2006—The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) commissioned a task force to develop the
Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Periodontal Diseases
to encourage referring dentists and periodontists to work together to optimize the health of patients. The Guidelines are intended to help
the general practitioner in the rapid identification of those patients at greatest risk for the consequences of periodontal inflammation and infection
and, therefore, those patients most appropriate for specialty referral.
“Today, there is a greater public awareness about periodontal diseases and more treatment options for patients than ever before,”
said Kenneth A. Krebs, DMD and AAP president. “However, as advancements in
periodontal therapy continue to develop at a record-breaking pace, periodontal diseases remain the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
In addition, accumulating research is further defining the links between periodontal diseases and other systemic conditions such as diabetes,
adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cardiovascular diseases. Patients are beginning to understand that good periodontal health is more important
than ever before.”
“It is the Academy’s hope that these Guidelines will help to improve the periodontal health of all patients with periodontal
diseases,” explained Donald S. Clem, III, DDS, and Chair of the task force that developed the Guidelines. “Evidence suggests
that an increasing number of patients would benefit from periodontal specialty care. Clearly there has been some confusion regarding periodontal
treatment and continued reevaluation of its effectiveness and when a periodontist should be consulted as a member of the patient’s treatment team.
These Guidelines can help the entire dental team in the timely identification of patients with periodontal diseases and those most
appropriate for specialty care.”
A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples
including one titled
Who Is a Periodontist and Why Do I Need One? are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting
the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.
About the AAP
The
American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.
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