This article is based on a literature review as well as interviews with experts and a return-on-investment model for preventing and managing periodontitis. Six countries – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom – form the basis for data collection.

To be able to improve prevention and early diagnosis, which is beneficial also from an economic and societal perspective, some recommendations were expressed based on collective insight:

Prevention, diagnosis, and management of periodontitis are cost-effective.

Oral home care, i.e., toothbrushing and interdental brushing performed by the patient, is fundamental to prevent gingivitis successfully. In the case of disease development, early diagnosis and treatment will positively impact return on investment.

Better integration of dental and general health care is necessary.

This can contribute to better patient care due to shared risk factors between oral and general conditions. In addition, a developed collaboration between health care disciplines could also highlight unmatched oral health needs.

A synergy of societal and individual public health campaigns is needed.

The societal and individual aspects need to work in parallel for equal conditions, both within and between populations, with a specific focus on prevention.

The affordability of dental care should be improved.

For a preventive approach, dental care must be affordable for patients who will otherwise request dental care for specific problems only.

Conclusively, societal and economic advantages exist in creating conditions for a preventative approach, limiting the prevalence and burden of periodontal diseases.

A summary of a scientific article

This summary of the article published in The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021 is presented by Anna Nilvéus Olofsson, DDS, Manager Odontology and Scientific Affairs. Click here for more information.