PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania--Oral Health America and the National Periodontal Disease Coalition will gather Nov. 16-17 to explore the controversy and recent scientific data surrounding the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes.
NPDC is a proactive group of practitioners, researchers, industry leaders, educators, universities, government agencies, health advocates, foundations and insurers that meets annually to address health issues surrounding periodontal disease, an infection that afflicts more than 30 percent of the adult population.
Though prevalent, PD is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite mounting evidence of its relationship to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and pre-term, low-birth weight babies.
Medical researchers have reported that people with diabetes are very likely to have periodontal (gum) disease, a chronic bacterial infection of the gums. Periodontal disease, the sixth most likely complication of diabetes, may make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar.
The Coalition will discuss recommendations and best practices for the treatment and management of diabetes and periodontal disease.
