This educational program will discuss the links between periodontal disease and systemic illness; or what is sometimes called the “mouth/body connection.” Not all researchers and clinicians currently accept periodontal disease and its links with systemic illness as fact. For some, the evidence is compelling. They have accepted the links as fact and modified the manner in which they practice. For others, more research needs to be completed before they form an opinion on the subject. You need to evaluate the evidence and decide for yourself whether or not these links exist. If you do accept them, you need to decide how you will modify your practice to address the issue.

The art of treatment planning to accomplish successful clinical results predictably literally becomes a developed skill. This course shares key components to assist in that process. It is designed to challenge clinicians to take numerous factors into consideration as diagnosis and treatment plans are developed to treat periodontal infection; to allot appropriate time to be comprehensive during therapeutic procedures; and to include wellness education with non-surgical treatment to modify periodontal risk factors. The science related to understanding periodontal diseases has changed much over the last few years and treatment protocols should mirror those changes.