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 forumla, 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 Web site at www.perio.org, or call toll-free at 800/FLOSS-EM--(800) 356-7736.
