Dentists discuss oral health at landmark meeting
The ADA takes part in American Diabetes Association's first symposium on oral health
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Posted June 17, 2008 |
By Jennifer Garvin San Francisco—For a few hours here on June 6, dentists held the floor during the American Diabetes Association's 68th Annual Scientific Sessions as they spoke on the links between periodontal disease and diabetes.
The ADA was invited to participate in the American Diabetes Association's first symposium on oral health.
The event was moderated by Dr. Daniel Meyer, ADA senior vice president, science/professional affairs, and M. Sue Kirkman, M.D., vice president for clinical affairs for the American Diabetes Association. It was sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
"The meeting served as a wonderful opportunity for dentists to discuss oral health considerations with physicians and other members of the health care team," Dr. Meyer said. "As we gain more knowledge on the relationships of oral health conditions to general health, it is imperative that our respective professions engage in meaningful dialogue to improve oral and general health outcomes for the patients we serve. Hopefully, this is the first of many opportunities we will have for the two ADAs to work together to achieve common goals."
Dr. George Taylor, a member of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs and an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, presented "Is Periodontal Disease Associated with Incidence or Progression of Diabetic Microvascular or Macrovascular Complications?"
"Recent studies have shown that having periodontal disease makes those with type 2 diabetes more likely to develop worsened glycemic control and puts them at much greater risk of end-stage kidney disease and death," Dr. Taylor said. "Given the numerous medical studies showing that good glycemic control results in reduced development and progression of diabetes complications, we believe there is the potential that periodontal treatment can provide an increment in diabetes control and subsequently a reduction in the risk for diabetes complications."
Three other dentist experts spoke at the symposium. They were:
- Dr. Ray Williams, chairman of the department of periodontology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, presented "Overview of Periodontal Disease for Non-Dentists";
- Dr. Louis F. Rose, a dentist/physician who teaches at both the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and New York University College of Dentistry, presented "Collaborating with Dental Professionals in Caring for Patients with Diabetes";
- Dr. Maria E. Ryan, director of clinical research and professor of oral biology and pathology, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, presented "Prevalence and Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease in People with Diabetes."
According to statistics provided by the American Diabetes Association, nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes. It is the 5th leading cause of death by disease in the U.S. and type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in adults who are overweight and age 40 and older.
In a study Dr. Ryan led at Stony Brook, researchers determined that levels of insulin resistance found in subjects were directly correlated with the severity of periodontal disease.
"The inflammation from the oral cavity may be contributing to the insulin resistance in this patient population," Dr. Ryan said in a press release.
The Journal of the American Dental Association has a special supplement available online entitled "Diabetes and Oral Health" from 2003 that was designed to teach dentists about treating patients with diabetes and the influence of diabetes on the periodontal tissues. To access the articles, visit www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/jada/reports/diabetes.asp.
Stay tuned for a new supplement on diabetes and oral health to be mailed with October JADA. For ADA resources on diabetes, visit www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/diabetes.asp.
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