A new report has been commisioned by the European Federation of Periodontology and published by The Economist 'Time to take gum disease seriously - The societal and economic impact of periodontitis'.
An important opening statement from Professor Maurizio Tonetti, Executive Director of the European Research group on Periodontology.
'You would not ignore bleeding from your eye, so why would you ignore bleeding from your mouth?'
To improve early detection and prevention of periodontitis, the report arrives at the following recommendations:
1. Prevention, diagnosis and management of periodontitis is cost-effective.
2. Better integration of dental and general healthcare.
3. A synergy of societal and individual public health campaigns are needed.
4. Improving the affordability of dental care.