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This article outlines the European Federation of Periodontology's (EFP) manifesto Periodontal Health for a Better Life which was informed by the first joint EFP/American Academy of Periodontology workshop on periodontitis and systemic health. The EFP manifesto calls upon the dental profession to engage in screening and providing preventive advice to patients who are at risk of common chronic diseases and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. In particular, the article emphasises the dental team's role in promoting behaviour change in their patients aimed at reducing smoking and obesity levels, by promoting healthy nutrition and exercise. The chairman of the National Association of Primary Care Medicine, Dr Charles Alessi, has strongly endorsed this model and highlighted the important opportunities offered by a capitation-based new contract for the dental team to engage fully in preventive medicine in support of medical colleagues and in the best interests of public health and patients across England.

Objective: To determine the opinions and attitudes of general dental practitioners and hygienists towards the role of nutrition in periodontal health., Setting: The study was completed by general dental practitioners and dental hygienists throughout the UK., Method: A questionnaire was sent out with the British Dental Journal and BDA News together with explanatory information about the study. Postage was pre-paid for replies., Results: Eight hundred and seventy-nine questionnaires were completed. Sixty-six percent of respondents believed nutrition plays a role in periodontal health. Dietary factors that were considered most important were vitamin C (70%), fruit and vegetables (64%) and antioxidant vitamins (45%). Forty-four percent had recommended nutrition supplements to their patients, with multivitamin and mineral supplements (37%) and vitamin C (30%) the most popular. Eighty-two percent of respondents sourced information from dental journals. Qualitative data highlighted uncertainty amongst respondents about the evidence base around nutrition and periodontal health and a lack of training opportunities., Conclusions: A majority of dentists consider that nutrition and dietary factors play a role in maintaining periodontal health. However, there was a need to increase awareness of the current state of the evidence for a role of nutrition in maintaining periodontal health. Concern regarding lack of an evidence base for the role of nutrition in the treatment of periodontal diseases suggests a need for further research into the therapeutic role of nutrition in periodontal disease management.

The methods for assessing potential biomarkers of periodontal disease activity are considered. This is necessary because a detailed examination of all the relevant research evidence is an essential process in assessing the possible clinical usefulness of a periodontal diagnostic test system based on any one of these markers.

Objective: To provide a critical review of the studies completed to date that have investigated a link between coronary heart disease and dental health., Design: Retrospective analysis., Setting: Mainly hospital-based patients or subjects involved in longitudinal health care studies., Main Outcome Measures: The incidence of coronary heart disease and its relationship to dental health and other recognised risk factors., Results: Evidence suggests that dental health, in particular periodontal disease, may be a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and further coronary events. Possible biological mechanisms that link the two diseases are appraised., Conclusions: There does appear to be increasing evidence that a relationship exists between dental health and coronary heart disease, especially in males aged 40-50 years. The presence of a hyperinflammatory monocyte phenotype may provide a common biological mechanism that links the two diseases.