Periodontitis: the persistent threat
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 28th March 2022
As a dental hygienist or dental therapist, it’s likely you’ve come across your fair share of periodontitis. After all, though there are a lot of varying statistics out there, some suggest that the prevalence of chronic periodontitis among adults in the UK remains as high as 45%.[i]
But why is periodontitis such a common oral health issue and how can dental hygienists and dental therapists help manage this ongoing problem?
A serious condition
With the prevalence of periodontitis being so high, it’s easy for patients to underestimate just how much of a serious concern the disease is, not only for their oral health, but also their systemic health.
As you’re already aware, severe periodontitis can lead to a host of issues within the oral cavity, eventually even progressing to tooth loss in serious cases. On a wider health level, periodontitis has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, higher risk of stroke and more.[ii]
A number of patient behaviours can influence periodontitis. Smoking, poor oral hygiene, elevated stress levels and drug use may all exacerbate the risk of individuals developing serious periodontal disease, but there may also be other underlying reasons as well. Those living with diabetes or autoimmune diseases such as HIV, for example, may be more prone to developing periodontitis due to the way that these diseases interact with immune responses and blood sugar levels.
What makes periodontitis even more of a concern is that the link between the disease and other conditions is often a two-way street. For example, an individual living with diabetes is more prone to developing periodontal disease. Equally, a person living with periodontal disease is more likely to develop diabetes.
In light of this, it’s clear that periodontitis is an issue that needs our attention. Dental hygienists and dental therapists are well placed to help resolve any early onset signs of the disease as well as give patients the education they need in order to adjust their behaviours accordingly.
Patient behaviour is the key
Much like with any preventable disease, the core part of the battle against periodontitis is influencing patient behaviour. If patients brush their teeth, clean interdentally and avoid habits that can exacerbate the risk of periodontitis such as smoking, then it stands to reason that levels of periodontitis would fall.
While some patients are easy to motivate, others are less likely to take advice on board, meaning that as professionals, we need to adjust our advice in order to suit the audience.
Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to keep advice regarding a complex condition such as periodontitis as simple as possible. People tend to be put off by information they can’t understand and too much jargon, so while it is tempting to explore some of the more fascinating complexities with patients, a simpler approach is more likely to be valued by a wider demographic.
Another thing we can do is to think about how we present information and relate it to the wider health concerns. The majority of patients will know that any form of periodontal disease is bad news, but are they aware of its links to other health conditions? This may be just the information we need to impart in order to influence behaviours.
Fighting the battle
Of course, while prevention is a significant step, there’s no denying that periodontitis isn’t going to just disappear overnight. As such, we need to have an evidence-based approach to treating the disease in order to help patients manage it and prevent it from progressing.
The British Society of Periodontology has recently adapted the European S3 Treatment Guideline document into a UK version that aligns with the UK healthcare system. This document contains up-to-date guidelines for professionals to best approach periodontitis at a clinical level, and is a vital guideline for dental professionals of all levels to read and understand in order to get an up-to-date view on how to best act against periodontitis and help better the gum health of the nation.
You can find out more and access these guidelines HERE: https://www.bsperio.org.uk/professionals/bsp-uk-clinical-practice-guidelines-for-the-treatment-of-periodontitis
Support in every scenario
The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) fully supports these new guidelines, and is here to help its members with any advice and guidance they need. As a strong, inclusive group of like-minded individuals, the Society offers members a vast array of resources and round the clock help.
Overall, periodontitis remains a significant concern in modern society. Dental hygienists and dental therapists all have a role to play and are vital in the fight against this pervasive disease. By taking the time to understand periodontitis, communicate these facts to our patients and following up to date guidelines, we can all work together for real change.
DIANE ROCHFORD – PRESIDENT BSDHT
CEB DIP DENT HYGIENE 1996, BSC (HONS) 2016
DENTAL HYGIENIST
For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk
call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk
[i] BDJ. Oral Health: What Is Gum Disease? Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2017.196 [Last accessed December 21].
[ii] Everyday Health. What Gum Disease Means For Your Overall Health. Link: https://www.everydayhealth.com/periodontal-disease/what-gum-disease-can-mean-your-overall-health/ [Last accessed December 21].
