Global epidemiology of dental caries and severe periodontitis -a comprehensive review. J Clin Periodontol 2017; 44 (Suppl. 18): S94-S105. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12677. AbstractBackground: Dental caries and periodontitis are the most common oral diseases and major causes of tooth loss. Aim: To perform a review of global prevalence and incidence of dental caries and periodontitis. Methodology: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed. MEDLINE database and EMBASE database were used to search for eligible publications using keywords and MeSH terms. Additionally, WHO databank was used for obtaining dental caries information and PUBMED for a search on trends of dental caries prevalence and severity. Results: Over the last four decades, the prevalence and severity of dentine carious lesions among 5-and 12-year-olds have declined; the decay-component is very high, with the lowest prevalence among 12-year-olds in high-income countries, which also had the lowest prevalence among 35-to 44-year-olds; and the number of retained teeth has increased around the globe. The prevalence of periodontitis is high, with approximately 10% of the global population affected by severe periodontitis. Study heterogeneity and methodological issues hamper comparisons across studies and over time. Conclusion: While the prevalence of dental caries has decreased, the disease is prevalent in all age groups. The prevalence of periodontitis is high. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that the prevalence of periodontitis has changed over time.

The epidemiological evidence behind the association between periodontitis and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. J Clin Periodontol 2013; 40 (Suppl. 14): S70-S84. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12062. AbstractObjectives: The objective of this study was to systematically review the epidemiological evidence for an association between periodontitis (PD) and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease. Methods: Systematic review of cohort and case-control studies on the association of clinically or radiographically diagnosed PD and ACVD. Results: Overall, 12 studies were included in this study (six studies on CHD, three studies on cerebrovascular disease, two studies on both coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease mortality and one study on peripheral arterial disease). All but one study reported positive associations between various periodontal disease measures and the incidence of ACVD, at least in specific subgroups. The association was stronger in younger adults and there was no evidence for an association between PD and incident CHD in subjects older than 65 years. Only one study evaluated the association between PD and secondary cardiovascular events. Conclusions: There is evidence for an increased risk of ACVD in patients with PD compared to patients without. However, this may not apply to all groups of the population. There is insufficient evidence for an association between PD and the incidence of secondary cardiovascular events. The possible association between periodontitis (PD) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) has received much attention over the past two decades, and a significant number of epidemiological studies have been conducted during this time. The evidence has been systematically reviewed several times during that period (Hujoel 2002, Janket et al. 2003, Khader et al. 2004, Bahekar et al. 2007, Humphrey et al. 2008, Blaizot et al. 2009). Most recently, a comprehensive review was performed by an American Heart Association (AHA) working group (Lockhart et al. 2012), which concluded that "periodontal disease is associated with atherosclerotic vascular disease independent of known confounders". It further concluded that there was no evidence for a causal link and that, therefore, "statements that imply a causative association between periodontal disease and specific atherosclerotic vascular disease events […] are unwarranted". The review further highlighted several research gaps and methodological issues relevant to further research, including the need for uniform criteria for PD measures and case definitions but mainly with regard to the need of well-designed controlled interventional studies with standard treatment protocols and considerations for issues such as the sustainability of treatment response over time.The aim of this review was to systematically review the evidence for the association between PD and incident ACVD, focusing on the most robust studies in terms ...

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