Periodontal disease and its impact on general health in Latin America - Diagnosis: Latin America and the Caribbean Consensus 2024.

Abstract

This is a new version of the LAOHA Consensus on Periodontal Disease and its impact on general health in Latin America. Five years after the first version, knowledge has increased, and diagnosis of periodontal disease has evolved. Of especial interest relative to this topic has been the emergence of studies that have used the AAP/EFP Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions since it is the core (?)of the art of diagnosis in preventive and therapeutic strategies. To make an accurate and effective diagnosis, knowledge about the health-disease process is fundamental. This article updates and demonstrates challenges in periodontal diagnosis, especially in Latin American countries. Considering that periodontal diagnosis should be based on knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of periodontal diseases, this article points out aspects developed in the last few years and emphasizes the knowledge that has been established, considering diagnosis of periodontal diseases. The evidence available stresses the importance of interviewing the patient, by implementing periodontal charting, and requesting any imaging and other complementary tests necessary. An important observation is that the partial periodontal data recordings used for screening (up to now) are not diagnostic methods and might underestimate disease. Moreover, in this article approaches to other forms of recognizing periodontal diseases are described, which could be used, however, not for the purpose of diagnosis, but for increasing awareness and eventually for referring individuals. In Latin American countries there is a need to increase the awareness of periodontal diseases among both the population and the profession, with particular emphasis on prioritizing correct periodontal diagnosis. In Dental education, strategies need to be established with the purpose of understanding that diagnosis is pivotal to any clinical approach.