Periodontal disease, the most prevalent disease in the world, has affected more than 40 percent of the world’s population today. Many factors can contribute to the disease including: smoking, stress, medications, diabetes, poor nutrition and hormonal fluctuations, according to ada.org.

Rosemary Kuhnle, a biology student at UW-Platteville, presented tips on how to prevent periodontal disease on April 28 at the Patricia A. Doyle Women’s Center in Warner Hall  Room 136. Although targeted more toward women and their oral health, the presentation was open to any student willing to learn and share oral health information. She said that hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life can affect tissues, including their gum tissue. Through these changes, the susceptibility of periodontal disease may increase and require special care as referred to Kuhnle’s presentation.

Throughout the presentation, topics such as periodontal disease and gingivitis were covered and how puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, oral contraceptives and menopause can be affected by these diseases.
Yazmin Daleo, junior criminal justice major, enjoyed the presentation and free samples given out.

“It is important to know how to clean your mouth, and once you hear it, it’s easier to understand the risks that you take if you don’t follow the right steps,” Daleo said.

Some students who want to work in the dentistry field came to better their knowledge; others came for enjoyment and a learning experience.

Already graduated from Dental Hygiene School at MATC, Kuhnle plans to graduate this semester with a biology major and double minor in Spanish and chemistry. She also plans to further her skills in the dental field and apply to dental this semester, Kuhnle was asked by Patricia Foster, the director of the Patricia A. Doyle Women’s Center, to share her familiarity with dentistry and oral health with others by giving presentations like these to fellow students.

“I’m an advocate for giving back to the community and am always looking to help with the communities’ health care,” Kuhnle said.

For more information, contact the Patricia A. Doyle Women’s Center at 136 Warner Hall.