title: Periodontics: 3. Non-surgical periodontal therapy in general dental practice.
abstract: Non-surgical periodontal therapy is an integral part of periodontal treatment and has been defined as plaque removal, plaque control, supra- and subgingival scaling, root surface debridement, and the adjunctive use of chemical agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the role of non-surgical periodontal therapy is central to good patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Queen's University of Belfast, School of Clinical Dentistry, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast BT12 6BP, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullally
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Irwin
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ziada
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Byrne
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000628:therapy; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005782:Gels; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods