Current regulations and modest proposals regarding disposal of unused opioids and other controlled substances.

There are no uniform protocols in the United States for safe, environmentally acceptable disposal of controlled substances by patients. In addition, there are conflicting protocols used by various institutions for the disposal of narcotic medications. Although the US Drug Enforcement Administration oversees the prescribing, acquisition, and distribution of controlled substances and works to prevent the illegal diversion of these products, it stops short of recommending specific mechanisms for consumers to dispose of unused medications.

Periodontal disease and control of diabetes mellitus.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that more than 20 million people (approximately 7% of the population) in the United States have diabetes mellitus. Physicians often fail to examine the mouths and teeth of their patients, even though the condition of the mouth and teeth have clinical relevance for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. The authors examine the current state of knowledge regarding periodontal disease and the effect of periodontal disease on worsening of glycemic control.