Sir, I was interested to read the correspondence provoked by Dr Batchelor's recent opinion piece (BDJ 2014; 217: 405–409). There is now good evidence that proper periodontal therapy followed by assiduous supportive therapy is effective in treating and maintaining the dentitions of patients with chronic periodontitis.

If it turns out that chronic infection and inflammation affecting a substantial area of soft tissue persisting over many years does indeed contribute significantly to systemic ill-health and morbidity, would this then become a public health issue?

Many diabetic patients do not comply with health and lifestyle recommendations, but we would still regard it as appropriate to offer the best treatment we can to maintain health. Perhaps we should be a little cautious in judging the value or otherwise of periodontal therapy?

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