Concern's on Periodontitis Periodontitis (gum disease) affects a significant proportion of the adult population. In May 2000, the US Surgeon General released a report entitled "Oral Health in America" in which it was stated that oral diseases are associated with other health problems. Since then, high level evidence indicates that individuals with periodontitis have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, some respiratory diseases in high risk elderly patients and preterm, low birth weight deliveries. While it is certainly not guaranteed that treatment of periodontitis will reduce patients' risk for other diseases, we feel it is important to recommend treatment for all our patients even those without established general health problems. The role of periodontal disease as a "risk indicator" or "marker" cannot be ignored since it can act as a warning that the patient is at risk for other diseases mentioned above. At least these patients would then be informed of the possible increase in risk and be seek appropriate investigation or treatment.