The association between periodontitis and systemic diseases. Game changer?

According to recent epidemiological studies severe periodontitis, or stage III and IV periodontitis in line with the new classification of periodontal diseases, is the sixth most prevalent condition in the world.
Direct treatment costs due to dental diseases (caries, periodontitis) worldwide correspond to 4.6% of global health expenditure. Periodontal disease is an advanced public health issue. Furthermore it is associated with more than fifty systemic diseases.

There is now a significant body of evidence to support independent associations between severe periodontitis and several non-communicable diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease. Indeed, severe periodontitis is independently and significantly associated with all cause and cardiovascular mortality in several different populations.

Proposed mechanisms include bacteraemia and the associated systemic inflammatory sequelae, including elevations in C‐reactive protein and oxidative stress. In populations with multimorbidity, for example chronic kidney disease with comorbid diabetes and periodontitis, periodontitis is associated with significantly reduced survival from all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality. It appears therefore that periodontitis may be a modifiable non‐traditional risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Current scientific evidence regarding the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus and between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases will be discussed.
Furthermore guidelines for health professionals, doctors and dentists alike, will be presented.

Dr. Charalampos Kalaitzakis

Dr Charalampos Kalaitzakis completed his dental education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece in 1989. He holds a Certificate in Periodontology and a Master of Dental Science in the field of Periodontology (1991) from Lund University, Sweden.

He has lectured extensively about surgical and non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease, and use of antiseptics and antibiotics during treatment of periodontal diseases.

Since 2005 he is a member of the board of the Hellenic Society of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry. He served as Treasurer (2005-2009), Secretary General (2009-2013), President Elect (2017-2019) and President (2019-2021) of the Hellenic Society of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry. He is currently Past President of the Hellenic Society of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry.

He is an active member of the Hellenic Society of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry, European Federation of Periodontology and American Academy of Periodontology.

Since 1993 he maintains a private practice in Athens, Greece limited to periodontics and dental implants.