Introduction

Patients, Pockets and Pathogens II: Demographics and Therapeutic Choices

Robert L. Merin, DDS, MS, and Alan R. Stein, DDS

Copyright 2002 Journal of the California Dental Association.

Contributing Editor

Robert L. Merin, DDS, MS, is the immediate past president of the California Society of Periodontists. He is also a lecturer at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry and a consultant for the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration. He maintains a private practice in Woodland Hills, Calif. Dr. Merin is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a staff member of West Hills Hospital and Northridge Hospital.

Co-Contributing Editor

Alan R. Stein, DDS, is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He is also the director of continuing education in the Department of Dentistry at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and a past chief of the department. Dr. Stein is also a past president of the San Fernando Valley Dental Society. He maintains a private general dentistry practice in Northridge, Calif.

Dental technology is moving forward with increasing momentum. General dentists are at the hub of the wheel of dentistry and need to have a good understanding of periodontal therapeutic options so that they can properly treat their patients. They also need to know when to reach out for a periodontal specialist to extend their ability to provide optimum treatment.

The April issue of the CDA Journal on periodontics contained articles on host modulation, antimicrobial therapy, and systemic health interactions with periodontal disease.

The articles in this May issue focus on demographics and techniques. The article on "Changing Issues and Demographics Affecting Periodontal and Implant Therapy" was originally intended to be the keynote article, but when the periodontal articles were divided into two journals, we believed it would fit better with the topics in this issue. After reading the final article in this issue, we suggest that you re-read our introduction (Page 282) in the April 2002 CDA Journal so that you can get our "spin" on using new technology.

An important goal of these issues was to provide thought-provoking controversy that will encourage further dialogue between general dentists and specialists. We hope these two issues will stimulate excitement for periodontal therapy and help you keep your practices moving forward with constantly better patient care.