The Future of Periodontal-Systemic Associations: Raising the Standards

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Periodontal medicine recognizes a “bidirectional” interaction between periodontitis and systemic conditions. Unfortunately, the facile ability to publish a periodontal-systemic association, regardless of biologic plausibility or rigorous scientific scrutiny, continues without abate. RECENT FINDINGS: The increasing number of periodontal-systemic associations corrupts the ability of dentists to distinguish which of the associations are spurious and which are valid. SUMMARY: The use of a Disease Association Checklist creates a register for rational assessment of current disease associations. However, to diminish the publication of spurious periodontal-systemic observational associations, editors must demand that authors follow Bradford-Hill criteria and the STROBE Statement to ensure a stringent pathway to publication.