Milestone trial

The recruitment was achieved by the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise through its Dental Education Facilities and community outreach programmes, with support from the NIHR Clinical Research Network: South West Peninsula.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory oral disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth (gums and bone). It is also linked to other diseases such as diabetes and artherosclerosis (thickening of the artery walls), making it a significant problem in dental patient care.
 
According to the British Society of Periodontology, around 10 per cent of the UK population appear to suffer from the more severe forms of the disease which result in tooth loss. Across the world, around 70 per cent of people have some form of the disease.

During the disease process the bone and soft tissue that hold teeth in place are destroyed – teeth become loose and eventually fall out.

As well as being unpleasant for the patient, periodontitis is time-consuming and expensive to treat. As a result, it is crucial that a way is found to prevent the disease, assess its risks and ensure early detection.