A patient-centered periodontal program for the 1990s, Part II

In Part I of this two-part series, the author described a comprehensive nonsurgical program for the general practitioner, including the use of the DNA probe, various plaque control modalities, nonsurgical therapy, and the limitations of the program. In Part II, the author describes verbal skills that can be helpful in discussing periodontal therapy with patients, along with antimicrobial therapy, treating the periodontal maintenance patient with early signs of breakdown, and communicating with the periodontist to create positive results for the patient, the general practitioner's office, and the periodontist's office.