Faculty Member Researches Connection Between Dementia and Dental Disease

Dr. Gang Yue

Dr. Gang Yue’s research on the link between periodontal disease and dementia had a big impact last year, according to the editors of Gerodontology, a journal that focuses on research about oral health and the elderly.

Yue’s paper, titled “Periodontal Disease, Tooth Loss and Dementia: Is there a link? A Systematic Review” was among the most frequently cited article in the journal last year. “Your work generated immediate impact and visibility, contributing significantly to the advancement in your field,’’ stated the editors.

Research related to dementia is drawing more interest as the population of patients grows, with no cure in sight. “It’s a very hot topic, ‘’ says Dr. Yue, an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics.

While a link was found between the swelling of epithelial cells, which cause periodontitis and may be the first warning sign of developing dementia, a more direct link between periodontitis and dementia hasn’t been established, according to Dr. Yue. “The trend is very clear but the studies are inconclusive. We need data that is more supportive of what periodontal disease is.’’

The studies he reviewed attempted to evaluate cases of periodontitis that coincided with cognitive decline. While the indicators of dementia were standardized, the criteria for periodontitis was more nebulous, said Dr. Yue. “We find that in all these journals, they’re not uniform,’’ he said.

To that end, Dr. Yue has been working with Dr. Steven Singer, chair of the Diagnostic Science Department to find a more exact and reliable method of defining periodontitis that uses digital technology to measures the progression of bone loss.