FCE4: Killer Smile: Periodontitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cardiac Disease, and Kidney Disease

Speakers

1.5 CE

Chronic inflammatory disease is an epidemic within our population. Many inflammatory diseases share similar mechanistic pathways and risk factors with periodontitis. The inflammation and infection involved in development and progression of periodontitis can affect multiple systems in the body, including the cardiac vasculature, brain, lungs, kidneys, and synovium of the joints. While clinical evidence supports a role for periodontal disease as a risk factor for systemic disease, a causative role has not been established. This course will explore the multiple etiological pathways and controversies surrounding the periodontal-systemic connection, as well as keys to successful management of periodontitis patients with chronic inflammatory disease.

Educational Objectives:

• Explain the role of oral microbes in local inflammation and systemic disease, as well as the efficacy of systemic antibiotic therapy for periodontal infection.
• Explore etiopathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how RA impacts the periodontium.
• Elaborate how periodontal therapy can impact, and be impacted by, chronic systemic inflammatory disease.
• Discuss what to tell your patients and when to refer for medical evaluation and care.