Are
You At Risk For Periodontal Disease: Interactive Patient Rrisk
Assessment Tool
[Submitted
by Dr. Andreas Siebold on 19 November, 2006]
American
Academy
of Periodontology releases online tool to help patients determine risk
for periodontal diseases
CHICAGO - Patients who visit www.perio.org
now have an interactive tool to help them identify their individual risk
for developing periodontal disease. "Millions of Americans have
periodontal disease and don't know it," said Preston D. Miller, DDS
and AAP president. "This tool will help patients test to see if
they are at risk for having or developing periodontal disease."
The
tool, which is located at www.perio.org/consumer/4a.html
, includes a short questionnaire for patients to complete. Once
submitted, a calculation based on the PreViser formula, determines
whether the patient is at "low, medium, or high risk" for
developing periodontal diseases. An individualized profile report
appears, including referral recommendations, and all patients have an
opportunity to click on the Academy's patient referral service to locate
a periodontist in their area.
"There
is a possibility that periodontal treatment may significantly improve
general health outcomes," Miller continued. "Given the
potential impact on diabetes, prematurity, cardiovascular disease and
other conditions, we believe it is important for patients to understand
their risk for periodontal diseases and the current state of their
periodontal health. In addition to the potential link to these general
health conditions, periodontal diseases remain the most common cause of
tooth loss in adults and can compromise a patient's ability to smile,
speak and eat with comfort and confidence."
For
more information including a referral to a periodontist or a free
brochure entitled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know, visit the
AAP website at www.perio.org or call
toll-free at 800/FLOSS-EM (800.356-7736).
The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of
dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of
the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the
American Dental Association.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kerry Gutshall
The American Academy of Periodontology
Phone: 312.573.3243
Fax: 312.573.3234
www.perio.org
