In This Section by Trisha O’Hehir, RDH, MS Editorial Director, Hygienetown


Risk Assessment

by Trisha O’Hehir, RDH, MS Editorial Director, Hygienetown

If you see bleeding, bacteria and toxins are entering the blood stream. For many years, risk assessment meant clinicians looked for bone loss on radiographs and told patients they would lose their teeth if they didn’t treat their periodontal disease. To my surprise, not many people were losing their teeth to periodontal disease, so that message wasn’t effective. However, the thought of bacteria and pus entering the blood stream from the mouth and moving throughout the body did make sense to patients. Just the idea of the oral infection flowing through the circulatory system to other parts of the body was enough to motivate patients to accept treatment, maintenance and their responsibility for daily biofilm control.

Research is now accumulating that links periodontal disease and many systemic conditions. It began with only a few studies demonstrating a link between diabetes and periodontal disease, and the influence of pregnancy hormones on bacteria causing gingivitis. We now have research that confirms the obvious – a connection does exits between the mouth and the rest of the body. Other studies show the benefits of bacterial and genetic testing and computerized risk assessment. With this information, risk assessment takes on a new dimension that enhances treatment planning, care and monitoring.

Despite the growing evidence of a link between oral and systemic health, no studies confirming direct cause and effect between oral health and systemic health have been published. Such studies would be unethical to perform. Controlling all variable and allowing periodontal disease to progress to observe systemic problems would never receive ethical approval. Such studies are not needed to encourage patients to maintain a healthy mouth and a healthy body.

Inside This Section
133   Hygienetown.com Research: Risk Assessment
134   Perio Reports
138   Profile in Oral Health: A Clinical Example of Risk Assessment
142   Message Board: No Proof that Gum Disease Causes Heart Disease or Stroke
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