Team care for periodontal disease: a model for patient rights

Periodontal diseases are a chronic, widespread disease problem. Treating periodontal diseases requires a team care approach. It also requires thorough examination, diagnosis, and treatment planning followed by disease-control therapy, periodontal-maintenance therapy, adjunctive therapy as needed, and referral to the periodontist if control of the disease is not established in the general dental practice. Only with collaboration and communication can a highly effective level of disease control be achieved. This disease control has a significant impact on the maintenance of the dentition and potentially on systemic health. This paper reports on a treatment model for diabetes adapted to the treatment of periodontal diseases. This model, which incorporates elements of the AAP's Rights and Responsibilities of Patients, provides a framework and foundation for improving the well being of patients with periodontal diseases.