Keynote Address: the Periodontal Condition and the Numbers of Natural Teeth as Risk Indicators for Cardiovascular Diseases and COVID-19.

Abstract Body: The link between dental status and general health is fascinating and important. Most research in this field focused on the associations between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus type 2 as well as cardiovascular diseases. Today there are strong indications that dental status and periodontitis are also associated with COVID-19. In this presentation, recent findings are presented on periodontal and dental parameters in relation to cardiovascular diseases and the severity of COVID-19. For example, we investigated the Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA) score in relation to the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scores assessed by CT-scans and endothelial function. Also, tooth loss was assessed in relation to CAC-scores. Further, a systematic review and meta-analyses of survival data show that a lower number of teeth is a risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. In other studies, we explored alveolar bone loss and tooth loss in relation to the severity of COVID-19 (admission to the ICU or death). In a follow-up study, we developed and externally validated prediction models for critical outcomes of COVID-19 based on demographic characteristics, medical conditions and dental status. Interestingly, it was found that besides age and several medical conditions, the number of remaining natural teeth, proved to be an important predictor for death and/or critical outcome due to COVID-19. Health care professionals could use recent and new information to inform their patients and increase awareness on the importance of good oral and dental health and increase efforts to prevent tooth loss.