Page 52 - Dental Practice Vol 17 No.5_

periodontic section

OUR CLIENTS ARE OVERWHELMED BY INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORAL SYSTEMIC LINK

IN THE NEWS OR ON FACEBOOK BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS HEAR IT FROM US. LET’S
MAKE 2021 THE TIME FOR US TO BECOME THE PROFESSIONAL SOURCE OF THIS
INFORMATION.

PERIODONTITIS: GRADING
Table 3: PERIODONTITIS: GRADING
Grading aims to indicate the rate of periodontitis progression, responsiveness to standard therapy, and potential impact on systemic health.
Clinicians should initially assume grade B disease and seek specific evidence to shi to grade A or C.
Grading aims to indicate the rate of periodontitis progression, responsiveness to standard therapy, and potential impact on systemic health.
See perio.org/2017wwdc for additional information.
Clinicians should initially assume grade B disease and seek specific evidence to shift to grade A or C.
Progression Grade A: Grade B: Grade C:
Slow rate Moderate rate Rapid rate
Primary Direct evidence of Radiographic No loss over 5 years <2 mm over 5 years ≥2 mm over 5 years
criteria progression bone loss or CAL
Whenever Indirect evidence % bone loss / age <0.25 0.25 to 1.0 >1.0
available, of progression
direct evidence
should be used. Case phenotype Heavy biofilm deposits Destruction commensurate Destruction exceeds
with low levels of with biofilm deposits expectations given biofilm
destruction deposits; specific clinical
patterns suggestive of periods
of rapid progression and/or
early onset disease

Grade Risk factors Smoking Non-smoker <10 cigarettes/day ≥10 cigarettes/day
modifiers

Diabetes Normoglycemic/no HbA1c <7.0% in patients HbA1c ≥7.0% in patients
diagnosis of diabetes with diabetes with diabetes
This article first appeared in SPECTRUM Dental Teamwork,Vol.14 No.2 - March 2021
The 2017 World Workshop on the Classi cation of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions was co-presented by the
American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).

Tables from Tonetti, Greenwell, Kornman. J Periodontol 2018;89 (Suppl 1): S159-S172.
CHECK LIST: TOP RESOURCES
Ensure you/your team are doing a complete
periodontal assessment every 12-18
months – depending on client’s needs, talk-
ing about risk factors, taking blood pressure
and screening for diabetes About the AUTHOR
Take time to review the importance of oral
health and homecare with your clients. Kerry Lepicek, RDH is a registered dental hygien-
Make specific/evidence based product rec- ist for almost 2 decades. She currently works part
ommendations and demonstrate how to use time in a general and an orthodontic practice.
the homecare tools. Kerry also works with OraVital as the Clinical
Begin implementing the AAP Classifications. Coaching Manager and rdhu as a QA Coach and
Have the AAP sheets laminated to be avail- presenter. She has lectured both locally and inter-
able to discuss your client’s periodontal nationally. Kerry is a trustworthy expert on oral
status. biofilm, halitosis and the oral-systemic link
Listen to podcasts/ webinars about oral research. Her focus is on educating her clients
systemic health and the dental profession on health and wellness.
Collaborate with other professionals and She is a cast member on The RDH View, has been
with each other (dental team) when creating
periodontal therapy treatment plans. featured in several Dental Hygiene Quarterly
webinars and many podcasts. Her practical advice
will transform your practice and clients health.

52 Dental Practice // May-June 2021 // Vol 17 No 5