Priority 8 from the Oral and Dental Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY: Is there a role for dental health professionals in treating oral health problems to improve general health? (JLA PSP Priority 8)
Overall ranking 8
JLA question ID 0079/8
Explanatory note

Not available for this PSP
Evidence

Weak evidence that treatment of periodontal disease by scale root planingimprovesglycaemic control in people with diabetes in the short term only. Insufficient evidence to demonstrate that one periodontal therapy is more effective than another.

Insufficient evidence to determine if periodontal treatment during pregnancy has an impact on preterm birth. Weak evidence that periodontal treatment may reduce low birth weight (< 2500 g)

Insufficient evidence to determine if periodontal therapy can prevent the recurrence of CVD in the long term in patients with chronic periodontitis. No evidence on primary prevention.

For full details of the evidence checked, please see the spreadsheet of data held on the JLA website.
Health Research Classification System category  Oral and gastrointestinal
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples Original questions were predominantly focused on the management of periodontal disease to improve systemic diseases (e.g CVD, diabetes, RA, kidney disease) and general quality of life. Broader questions relating to better oral care for the prevention/management of health conditions such as malnutrition or chest infections were also covered. 
Submitted by  2 x patients, carers or members of public, 4 x health professionals
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0079
PSP name Oral and Dental Health
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP 38  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 12 December 2018