The College of General Dentistry has endorsed newly updated guidance on periodontal diseases from the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme.

The second edition of Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases in Primary Care, published this week, aims to help dental teams recognise patients at risk of developing periodontal diseases early, and provide them with preventative care and treatment to improve their oral and general health.

The guidance has been updated following a thorough review of the evidence, and after consultation with dental organisations including the College of General Dentistry.

The changes in the new edition include: 

  • new advice on the assessment of risk
  • updated information on diagnosis of periodontal diseases to reflect the 2018 Classification of Periodontal Diseases
  • information on planning treatment that reflects the stepwise approach to periodontal therapyand consideration of tooth prognosis
  • expanded advice on the management of risk factors and assessing the response to periodontal treatment
  • advice on the specific management of patients with furcation involvement and the management of patients with systemic conditions linked to periodontal disease
  • expanded advice on the management of patients considering dental implants
  • updates to the evidence and basis for the key recommendations
  • updates to the supporting tools

The full guidance and supporting tools are available at https://www.periodontalcare.sdcep.org.uk/

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