Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 1

Science can help society enjoy healthier aging. However, we need to ensure that we also apply it routinely in our clinical oral health practices. Periodontal Disease Affects More Than Half of Seniors New infographic depicts chronic diseases and related risk factors The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) produced an infographic in 2020 about the most common chronic diseases among seniors in Canada. As seen in the infographic (p. 14), periodontal disease is the second most prevalent chronic disease amongst Canadians over the age of 65, affecting 52% of this segment of the population. L isette Dufour, senior oral health advisor at the Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada (OCDOC), collaborated on the infographic and says that periodontal disease is linked with many common diseases. “Robust evidence shows that it’s associated with cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses and that there is a bi-directional relationship with diabetes,” Dufour says. She also says there is emerging evidence showing relationships between periodontal disease and other systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, cancers, and impaired cognitive functions. Why should dentists pay attention? “We need to interpret and apply this knowledge when we have seniors sitting in our dental chair,” she says. “As a dental hygienist, I believe that with an ageing population, it is important to not only be aware of, but also to incorporate the relevant evidence within our practice.” One concrete example of this might be to include blood pressure readings as part of the patient’s medical history. “This best practice provides a great opportunity to screen for hypertension, which can be indicative of other serious health conditions,” Dufour says. Dufour explains that the high prevalence of periodontal disease may be caused by a variety of factors. Prevalence increases with age, while access to dental insurance decreases with age. “The combination of those two factors with other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, poor oral hygiene and the use of medications that reduce the salivary flow can contribute to periodontal disease,” she says. Data for the infographic was drawn from Cycle 1 (2007– 2009) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). “The next CHMS cycle will generate more data on oral health and will give a clearer picture of the current oral health status of Canadians,” says Dufour. The next CHMS cycle will include participants from 1–79 years of age. The OCDOC is seeking funding to include the 80+ age cohort, as well as sampling and analysis of the oral microbiome, genotype, and key chemical agents. “This would give us a fuller picture of the oral health status of a wider age range of Canadians,” she says. “It would also allow us to better relate oral health to general health as well as identify possible factors that may be contributing to underlying oral health conditions in Canadians.” “I am a strong believer that science can help society enjoy healthier aging,” she says. “However, we need to ensure that we also apply it routinely in our clinical oral health practices.” Access the infographic at: canada.ca/en/services/health/publications/diseases- conditions/prevalence-chronic-disease-risk-factors- canadians-aged-65-years-older.html Lisette Dufour, RDH N ews and E vents 15 Issue 1 | 2021 |