Update on Focal Infection Management: A Czech Interdisciplinary Consensus

Area of Science:

• Oral Health and Systemic Disease
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• The historical focal infection theory proposed oral infections cause systemic diseases.
• Modern understanding reveals a complex oral-systemic axis, linking oral microbiota to conditions like periodontal disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
• Existing management protocols for the oral-systemic axis vary across jurisdictions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus on the oral-systemic axis concept.
• To develop a standardized protocol for managing focal odontogenic infections and their systemic implications.
• To guide healthcare workers in patient management related to oral-systemic health.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team of specialists (dentistry, ENT, cardiology, orthopaedics, oncology, diabetology) was convened.
• The team's conceptual understanding of the focal infection theory and oral-systemic axis was assessed.
• A protocol was developed to evaluate the strength of oral-systemic associations and guide therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

• Scoring algorithms were created to quantify odontogenic inflammatory diseases and associated systemic risks.
• Standardized procedures were developed for the management of oral-systemic conditions.
• The study facilitated a consensus among diverse medical specialties.

Conclusions:

• The developed oral-systemic axis algorithm provides a valuable tool for healthcare professionals.
• This algorithm aids in guiding patient management protocols for conditions influenced by the oral-systemic axis.
• It promotes a more integrated approach to managing oral health and its systemic consequences.