Translating science into action--prevention of periodontal disease at patient level.

For years, prevention of periodontal disease has focused mainly on improving patient oral hygiene. The role of the dentist and dental hygienist was to 'motivate' the patient to adopt the proper technique for plaque removal. Today, prevention has shifted to a broader and more comprehensive approach with preventive interventions that target local etiologic as well as general risk factors.

Oral health care systems in developing and developed countries.

Health care systems are essential for promoting, improving and maintaining health of the population. Through an efficient health service, patients can be advised of disease that may be present and so facilitate treatment; risks factors whose modification could reduce the incidence of disease and illness in the future can be identified, and further, how controlling such factors can contribute to maintain a good quality of life. In developed countries, clinics or hospitals may be supported by health professionals from various specialties that allow their cooperation to benefit the patient; these institutions or clinics may be equipped with the latest technical facilities.

Periodontal health and global public health.

Chronic diseases are a growing burden to people, to health-care systems and to societies across the world. The rapid increase in the burden of chronic diseases is particularly prevalent in the developing countries. Periodontal disease is one of the two most important oral diseases contributing to the global burden of chronic disease.

Association between early preterm birth and periodontitis according to USA and European consensus definitions.

Objective: Prospective case-control study assessing the association between maternal periodontitis according to the recently issued USA and European consensus definitions and early preterm delivery (<35 weeks gestation). Cases were women delivering between 22 and 34(6/7) weeks of gestation (n = 84) and controls were women delivering at term (≥ 37 weeks) (n = 345).

Methods: Periodontal examination at the immediate postpartum period identified periodontitis according to both consensus definitions.