Update on the Oral-Systemic Link

As science’s understanding of the role of inflammation evolves, the oral-systemic association between periodontal disease and a broad array of other inflammatory conditions becomes clearer.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After reading this course, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain the current understanding of inflammation’s role in the association between oral and systemic diseases.
2. Discuss the prevalence of periodontitis and the processes involved in this disease, as well as the association between periodontal inflammation and systemic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
3. Describe some of the ways in which inflammation can be mediated or resolved.

This course was issued in January 2020 and expires January 2023. The authors have no commercial conflicts of interest to disclose. This 2 credit hour self-study activity is electronically mediated.