F7: Medical Protocols for Periodontal Therapy

As our understanding of the multiple links between the mouth and the body has increased, our roles have expanded to include awareness of and focus on the whole health of our patients. Traditionally, dental healthcare practitioners have not approached dental disease in the same way that medical doctors approach systemic diseases. There is much to be gained by adopting certain medical strategies, such as performing risk assessment, seeking the root cause, employing laboratory testing, and utilizing wound care protocols, into our routine dental care. We must try to unravel the complex interactions between host susceptibility, immune response, genetic associations, behavioral components, and disease control. As knowledge of oral-systemic connections has become widely understood and accepted, the next step is to integrate that knowledge into practical clinical protocols. It’s time to elevate our identities as healthcare practitioners in this new age of integrated medicine and dentistry.

Educational Objectives:

• Discover four tenants of medical management of periodontal disease: risk assessment, root cause, laboratory testing, and wound care
• Illuminate the significance and challenges of oral biofilm
• Explore leading-edge practices to integrate medical protocols into dental routines efficiently and effectively