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Implementing the 2017 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases - how are we doing in the South West region of the UK?

British Dental Journal (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A new world classification of periodontal diseases and conditions was developed in 2017 and implemented throughout the United Kingdom by the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry.

Method A retrospective audit was undertaken at Bristol Dental Hospital (BDH) (December 2019 to March 2020) to assess uptake of the new classification in referral letters and its implementation by staff. In total, 75 consecutive new patient referrals seen at BDH were manually searched for diagnosis/classification. Additionally, the 75 most recent referrals where both the referring practitioner and BDH staff used the 2017 classification were analysed for agreeability.

Results Within South West England, there was a positive uptake of the new classification in general practice, with 85% of referrals using the 2017 periodontal classification. Further, 98% of patients attending BDH for periodontology consultations were diagnosed using the 2017 classification. Results indicate 50.7% and 57.3% agreement for staging and grading, respectively, when comparing consultants to referring clinicians.

Discussion The new classification has been widely conveyed to the profession and is being adopted quickly by specialists, general practitioners and dental health professionals. There is an underestimation of both stage and grade by referring practitioners, with 40% of referrals underestimating the stage and 38.7% underestimating the grade.

Key points

  • There has been a positive uptake of the 2017 periodontal classification in the South West of the UK.

  • When compared to hospital consultants, referring practitioners tend to underestimate stage and grade of periodontitis using the 2017 classification.

  • This paper highlights important aspects of the UK implementation of the 2017 periodontal classification, directing readers to key resources for successful adoption of the classification to their practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Core Trainee 2, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin St, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK

    Don S. Jayawardena

  2. Consultant in Restorative Dentistry/Periodontology, MCN South West Lead for Periodontology, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin St, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK

    Roger Yates

  3. Professor and Honorary Consultant in Periodontology, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin St, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK

    Nicola X. West

  4. Specialty Registrar in Periodontology, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin St, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK

    Alexander J. Pollard

Authors
  1. Don S. Jayawardena
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  2. Roger Yates
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  3. Nicola X. West
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  4. Alexander J. Pollard
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Contributions

Don Jayawardena: responsible for the data collection, analysis and primary in writing up the manuscript. Roger Yates: produced plan for the original audit, oversaw the manuscript write up and made contributions to the writing. Nicola West: made contributions to the writing of the paper, made changes considering the soon to be published S3 guidelines and provided advice on publication. Alexander Pollard: responsible for data collection and analysis, supervised the audit and made significant contributions to writing of the paper and in making corrections.

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Correspondence to Don S. Jayawardena.

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Jayawardena, D., Yates, R., West, N. et al. Implementing the 2017 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases - how are we doing in the South West region of the UK?. Br Dent J (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3716-2

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