Before initiating comprehensive treatment for periodontal disease, consider taking these steps:
    •    Discuss the patient’s medical history- Highlight significant risk factors for periodontal disease progression, such as smoking, cardiovascular disease, age, and diabetes.
    •    Perform a comprehensive periodontal evaluation- Explain that you are looking for signs of periodontal disease, such as increasing pocket depth, radiographic bone loss, and bleeding on probing, as well as measuring for pockets ≥5 mm.
    •    Explain the potential outcomes- Discuss each of the potential outcomes associated with periodontal disease and how they relate to the patient’s active participation and compliance before, during, and after treatment.
    •    Address potential treatment-related concerns- Talk about the cost of procedures, insurance coverage, and possible discomfort associated with treatment.

For further patient resources, click here.