Treat gum disease to improve diabetes: Dr. George W. Taylor to talk in Boston March 14

(Boston) — The diabetes epidemic is being worsened by the prevalence of chronic periodontal disease, according to current research. Both are lifestyle-related diseases that are considered biologically linked.

RELATED |Divaris, others confirm genetic link to periodontitis through first genome-wide study

RELATED |Ancient tooth decay DNA reveals effects of changing diets

Dr. George W. Taylor, DMD, DrPH, researches the relationships between oral and systemic health, particularly the connection between periodontal (gum) infection and diabetes.

“Given the current evidence,” Dr. Taylor says, “it is prudent to consider treating periodontal infection in people with diabetes as an important component of their overall diabetes management.”

Dr. Taylor will discuss how treating gum disease may improve diabetes outcomes from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 670 Albany Street auditorium.

The lecture is the keynote of Science Day, a research celebration featuring posters and oral presentations by pre- and post-doctoral dental students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and staff, and dental vendors. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Taylor is chair of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences and the Leland A. and Gladys K. Barber Distinguished Professor in Dentistry at the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry. He is president of the American Board of Dental Public Health and a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Founded in 1963, The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine is the premier academic dental institution promoting excellence in dental education, research, oral health care, and community service to improve the overall health of the global population. With a faculty of more than 325 educators, clinicians, and researchers and more than 250 staff members, the school offers a full spectrum of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral specialty education programs and a complete range of graduate programs and degrees to more than 700 students.