Collaborative Health Care for Diabetes: A Symposium for Creating a Dialogue Among Medical and Dental Care Professionals 2011

Despite the growing realization that oral health and disease is linked to other systemic health issues, medicine and dentistry continue to be implemented as two separate health professions. Approximately 65% of the US population has periodontal disease and this prevalence increases to 90% in individuals with diabetes. In a reciprocal, bidirectional relationship, evidence suggests that diabetes leads to worsening gum disease and in turn, the chronic inflammation and infection that results from periodontal disease has an adverse effect on glycemic control and health outcomes, and thus creates a cycle that compromises diabetes management and health outcomes in affected individuals. Any improvement in glycemic control (resulting from regular and appropriate periodontal treatment) and/or periodontal disease (resulting from improved diabetes management), has the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life for individuals with diabetes.

This symposium will bring together physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, endocrinologists, dentists, periodontists, dental hygienists, epidemiologists, public health and nursing professionals as well as basic researchers to examine the bidirectional relationship between oral disease and diabetes. This symposium aims to provide education that will enhance the quality of health-care delivery, improve patient outcomes, and serve as an impetus for medical and dental care professionals to coordinate and collaborate towards the goal of improving the health of individuals with diabetes.