This study underscores the importance of a comprehensive wellness approach with patients as a foundation in periodontal care. Clinicians should begin with a thorough health history, and ask specific questions about past and current levels of acute and chronic stress, as well as past and current diagnoses and symptoms of depression. They should then educate patients with previous and current experience with stress, depression, and other psychosocial factors regarding their potential risks for periodontal disease.

It is noteworthy that the study did unveil a correlation between stress and depression and decreased oral hygiene; for example, study subjects with elevated stress brushed and/or flossed their teeth less frequently. Participants who reported that they neglected oral care during periods of stress or depression had more missing teeth than those who did not.

Overall, the authors suggest that, independent of oral hygiene, stress and depression are important correlates of periodontal disease and need to be addressed, evaluated, and where necessary, treated.