Recently developed automated methodologies use routinely collected data
Periodontal disease is a growing public health issue in the United States as the nation’s population ages, yet it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47 percent of adults age 30 and older and 79 percent of adults age 65 and older have some form of periodontal disease.
Researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Dentistry have developed computer algorithms to track the change in periodontal disease, which could help dentists and periodontists track disease progression. They have also developed tools that enable the use of electronic dental record data to automate disease diagnosis.
In the early stage of periodontal disease – gingivitis – the gums are swollen, red and may bleed. In its most severe form, called periodontitis, the gums may pull away from the tooth, bone may be lost, and teeth may loosen or even fall out. Maintaining natural teeth is important for good nutrition and other factors related to maintaining good health.
“Gum disease, which is often underdiagnosed, is reversible if caught at an early stage before it affects the underlying structures and adversely affects tooth support. “Allowing dentists to track disease using both the information in clinical notes and the periodontal mapping data contained in a patient’s electronic dental record can enable diagnosis and hope,” said Thankam Thyvalikakath, DMD, MDS, PhD, the who leads the Regenstrief Institute-IU School. Dental Dental Informatics Program. Adding that “we are here to develop and establish a culture of documenting and diagnosing cases in a structured way as is done in medicine,” he notes that about 90 percent of dental practices in the US use electronic dental records.
“I believe the advantage of our approaches is that, using regularly collected data, we can automate and monitor gingivitis treatments and changes that are only visible clinically, so we can catch gum disease at an early, potentially reversible, stage. This contrasts with other approaches that use only x-rays, which only show advanced gum disease.”
Factors that increase the risk of periodontal disease include tobacco use, diabetes, poor oral hygiene, stress, defective dental fillings and bridges, and medications that cause dry mouth.
“There is a two-way relationship between certain risk factors and gum disease,” said Dr. Thyvalikakath. “For example, diabetes increases the risk of periodontal disease, and periodontal disease negatively affects the course of diabetes. A similar relationship exists between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease. Recognizing, monitoring and treating gingivitis is an important part of a patient’s overall health.”
“Development of Automated Computer Algorithms to Track Periodontal Disease Change from Longitudinal Electronic Dental Records,” is published in a special issue, “Advances in Biomedical and Dental Diagnostics Using Artificial Intelligence,” of the open-access, peer-reviewed journal Diagnostics.
Authors and their relationships
Jay S. Patel1 2 3 Krishna Kumar1Ahad Zai1.4Daniel Sheen1Lisa Willis1and Thankam P. Thyvalikath1.4.
1Dental Informatics Program, Department of Cariology Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
2Health Informatics, Department of Health Services Administration and Policy, Temple University College of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.
3Department of Oral Health Sciences, Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
4Dental Informatics Program, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
MedInfo 2023 presentation
“Feasibility of using electronic dental record data and periodontitis case definition to automate diagnosis” was presented by Dr.Thyvalikakath at MedInfo 2023: the 19th World Congress on Medicine and Health Informatics, held in Sydney, Australia. The paper is scheduled to be published in the proceedings of the meeting.
Thankam Thyvalikath, DMD, MDS, PhD
In addition to her role as a researcher at the Clem McDonald Center for Biomedical Informatics at the Regenstrief Institute and director of the Regenstrief and IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics Program, Thankam Thyvalikakath, DMD, MDS, PhD, is professor and associate dean of dental informatics and digital health at the IU School of Dentistry and adjunct professor at the IUPUI Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.
About the Regenstrief-IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics Program
The Regenstrief Institute-IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics program, established in 2019, is one of the first in the US. , coexist with or result from medical conditions. The aim is to implement the findings in dental clinics and other points of care.
About the Regenstrief Institute
The Regenstrief Institute, founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, is a local, national and global leader dedicated to a world where better information empowers people to end disease and realize true health. A key research partner of Indiana University, Regenstrief and its researchers are responsible for a growing number of important health innovations and studies. Examples range from developing global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communication to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the world .
Sam Regenstrief, a nationally successful businessman from Connersville, Indiana, founded the institute with the goal of making health care more efficient and accessible for all. His vision continues to guide the institute’s research mission.
About Indiana University School of Dentistry
The only dental school in the Hoosier state, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) offers an exceptional learning environment in which teaching, research, and community service are best combined to prepare tomorrow’s dental professionals. Approximately 80 percent of dentists practicing in the state of Indiana are graduates of the school.
Founded in 1879 in Indianapolis, IUSD is located on the health sciences campus of IUPUI, one of the outstanding urban universities in the United States with a recognized commitment to community engagement. IUSD capitalizes on the campus’ central location in the state and its location on the research corridor connecting IUPUI, Purdue University West Lafayette, and Indiana University Bloomington. IUSD faculty conduct world-class interdisciplinary research in collaboration with IU’s other health sciences schools and Purdue’s Schools of Engineering and Technology and Science.
