Prevention of periodontal diseases: Shifting the focus

Oral diseases (caries and periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis) are now recognized as being both an epidemic and one of the most important public health problems in the world. Periodontal diseases are considered a worldwide public health problem, owing to their high prevalence in developed and developing countries. Periodontitis is a chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) that impacts oral health-related quality of life as it may lead to tooth loss and represents a major public health problem. The new S3 periodontal treatment guidelines have highlighted the importance of prevention and good maintenance prior to carrying out periodontal surgical procedures. Clinical studies well document that patients can prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease when engaged in good oral hygiene practices. However, the continued high global prevalence of these oral diseases, with accompanying significant public health burdens, demonstrates that tooth brushing alone for most people may be insufficient intervention to achieve and maintain good oral health. This presentation will focus on periodontal preventive strategies one in which a clinician can monitor his/her patient for optimal health.

Audience take away:

• Importance of focusing on prevention of periodontal diseases.
• Incorporation of Prevention tools in daily practice.
• Courses that can be taken to master this philosophy
• An important aspect to motivate patients prior to periodontal surgery