Official Statements
AAOSH Responds to JADA Editorial that Claims Promoting Oral-Systemic Connection is ‘Premature and Misleading’
June 13, 2018
In a 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, the guest editorial, “Promoting oral health care because of its possible effect on systemic health is premature and misleading,” by Bruce L. Pihlstrom, et. al. expressed the opinion.
"there remains a need for more convincing and higher quality evidence that oral health care actually has a measurable impact on specific systemic diseases before it can be claimed that attaining good oral health can prevent systemic diseases or conditions."
Click here to view AAOSH's official response to the JADA editorial.
AAOSH Position Paper Regarding the AP Flossing Report
August 15, 2016
In 2016, the Associated Press released a report in which it called the evidence for flossing "weak," "unreliable," and "inconsistent":
"One study review in 2011 did credit floss with a slight reduction in gum inflammation — which can sometimes develop over time into full-fledged gum disease. However, the reviewers ranked the evidence as "very unreliable." A commentary in a dental magazine stated that any benefit would be so minute it might not be noticed by users."
Click here to view AAOSH's official response to the AP report.
Response to the American Heart Association's Scientific Statement on Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
April 30, 2012
In 2012, the American Heart Association issued a statement based on a review of past research. Its ultimate conclusion was that past research did not indicate a causative relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease:
Although periodontal interventions result in a reduction in systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in short-term studies, there is no evidence that they prevent ASVD or modify its outcomes.
Click here to view AAOSH's official response to the AP report.