ABSTRACT
Dental caries and the periodontal diseases remain prevalent oral diseases in
society today. Each may affect certain individuals at an early age; each will
likely impact most individuals during adulthood; together they represent a signifi-
cant oral health concern. While there are numerous unique aspects to each of
these diseases, they share that each is a multifactorial condition with complex
and interconnecting elements to its etiology. Dental plaque, as an infection, the
interplay between plaque bacteria and the host tissues, and genetic and environ-
mental factors, have each increasingly been recognized for their importance in
the pathogenesis of both dental caries and the periodontal diseases.
