In a meta-analysis published in the May 2007 issue of Epidemiologic Reviews,¹ investigators at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health pointed out that in the United States 66% of adults are overweight or obese; 16% of children and adolescents are overweight, and 34% are at risk of becoming overweight. Using projected annual increases in prevalence, the authors predicted that by 2015, 75% of adults will be overweight and 41% will be obese. Therefore, dental professionals will continue to be treating increasing numbers of overweight and obese patients who present with multiple obesity-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Obese patients may present with multiple conditions that increase the risk for treatment complications and medical emergencies, including hyper/hypoglycemia, angina, heart attack, stroke, and impaired pulmonary function. Chronic periodontal inflammation may further increase these risks in this population.