Peri-Implant Disease Management: Insights from Karen Walker

A Leading Voice in Dental Hygiene Shares Expertise on Peri-Implant Disease

In a recent article on Dentistry.co.uk, dental hygienist Karen Walker offered insights into the protocols she developed for managing peri-implant disease, protocols that are now aligned with guidelines recommended by the British Society of Periodontology (BSP). Walker, who has worked at The Campbell Clinic for over 15 years, has a strong record in implant care and preventive dentistry, and she shared her journey in advancing treatment standards alongside renowned implant specialist Dr. Colin Campbell.

Addressing Peri-Implant Disease in General Practice

With peri-implant disease on the rise, driven by factors such as smoking and diabetes, Walker stresses the importance of comprehensive care. “There is a growing need to understand the risk of developing peri-implant diseases,” she says, highlighting the role of diabetes in impairing the immune response and affecting bone regeneration and wound healing in implant patients. Her long-standing protocols, developed over 15 years ago, were validated in 2023 when the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) issued guidelines that mirrored her methods, which have now been adopted by the BSP.

The UK dental implant market, valued at $2,095.80 million in 2023 and projected to grow to $3,545.50 million by 2030, underscores the increasing demand for skilled peri-implant care. According to Walker, this growth has coincided with a rising number of implant cases, leading to an uptick in patient referrals for peri-implant care. She believes there is room for general dental practices to expand their competencies to manage these cases more effectively and keep patients in their primary practice, where they feel most comfortable.

An Evidence-Based Approach to Hygiene and Prevention

Walker emphasizes the necessity of a validated approach to managing peri-implant diseases, particularly as studies show a lack of diagnostic criteria understanding among general dental practitioners (GDPs). A 2024 study published by the British Dental Journal (BDJ) revealed that GDPs often face challenges diagnosing peri-implantitis, even though they recognize the legal risks associated with misdiagnosis. This lack of clarity, Walker notes, points to the need for improved education on diagnostic standards, risk factors, and referral guidelines.

Walker’s protocols focus heavily on prevention through personalized hygiene maintenance. In her upcoming presentation at Dentistry Live, she aims to share best practices in patient care and practical steps for managing peri-implant disease. “Every patient should have a bespoke treatment plan,” she insists, noting the importance of detailed guidance for patients to manage their conditions at home.

Training Dental Teams and Empowering Hygienists

Walker’s approach advocates for a team-based management strategy, which includes training hygienists and GDPs to diagnose and treat peri-implantitis. “Patients do not want to be referred to a different practice; they want their general practice to be a one-stop shop,” she explains. Walker believes that empowering the entire dental team to manage these cases improves patient care and helps practices retain patients who might otherwise be referred elsewhere.

Walker emphasizes that simple steps can make a significant difference, such as demonstrating proper hygiene tools like Philips Sonicare toothbrushes and Power Flossers. With these tools, Walker can ensure patients are equipped to maintain their implants and reduce the risk of disease progression. “Philips Sonicare toothbrushes are backed by over 175 clinical studies,” she states, emphasizing her confidence in recommending products that enhance long-term compliance.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Education and Shared Knowledge

Walker’s commitment to knowledge-sharing is central to her work. Through The Campbell Clinic’s Academy, she actively supports the education of dental professionals, aiming to raise standards in implant dentistry. She sees her upcoming session at Dentistry Live as an opportunity for practice owners and their teams to gain valuable insights, encouraging them to join and learn more about managing peri-implant disease within a general practice setting.

Reflecting on her career and her drive to improve patient care, Walker remarks, “Sharing knowledge is really important and it feels like the right thing to do, to give something back to the profession.” For her, this knowledge-sharing approach not only enriches the profession but also helps more practices provide the care patients need without referring them to specialist centers.

Conclusion

As the prevalence of dental implants increases, so does the need for comprehensive peri-implant disease management. With her protocols now validated by the BSP and her dedication to supporting other dental professionals, Karen Walker remains a leading advocate for advancing peri-implant care in general practice. For those interested in learning from her, Walker will be presenting at Dentistry Live on November 21. For more details, visit Dentistry.co.uk’s event page.