BSP implementation of the 2017 classification of periodontal diseases: a practice retrospective

Abstract

Introduction The new world classification of periodontal diseases and conditions was developed in 2017. The British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP) implemented the classification in a series of papers published in the British Dental Journal in January 2019.Aims and objectives This study aimed to investigate if the BSP implementation was workable in general dental practice and to reveal if any lessons were learnt from its regular use two years following its release.Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional, retrospective, non-intervention analysis of a patient population (n = 891) drawn from a complete list of a private dental surgeon. Diagnostic and demographic data were drawn from the patient records, collated and analysed using SPSS Statistics v26.Results Diagnoses derived from the new classification were identified for 92% of subjects, indicating a high level of implementation. In total, 20.9% of subjects were diagnosed with periodontitis, and of these, 57% were unstable, 39% stable and 4% in remission. The mean bleeding on probing score across the cohort was 7.7%. Moreover, 76% of the non-periodontitis patients were diagnosed with 'clinical gingival health', 23% with localised gingivitis and 1% with generalised gingivitis.Conclusion The new classification has been found to be readily implemented in a general practice setting. Use of the new classification allows for close monitoring of periodontal status, and as a result, close monitoring of the effectiveness of pathways of care.

Clinical Incorporation of the 2017 Classification of Periodontal Diseased Conditions: Part I (Diagnosis of Periodontitis Involving Data From 4,993 Patients)

“…The 2017 World Workshop classification for periodontal and peri-implant diseases integrates the biological and clinical research knowledge that have become evident since the 1999 International Classification of Periodontal Diseases [ 1 ]. The essence of this classification system was to include the severity, extent, and rate of progression of the periodontal disease, as well as susceptibility of patients to periodontal diseases, thereby determining a definition for periodontal health [ 2 ]. The main focus of the 2017 World Workshop classification in the field of periodontology was to adopt a reductionist model that can be practically implemented in routine dental practice where more than 95% cases of periodontal disease are diagnosed and managed [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…The two main propositions of the 2017 classification are as follows: the earliest explanation of clinical gingival health and the determination of working diagnosis of the periodontal health status for each patient. Thus, it helps in better clinician-patient understanding and cooperation to establish personalized treatment and oral hygiene care to achieve well-defined therapeutic outcomes [ 1 - 2 , 6 - 7 ].…”