[Periodontology today].

Periodontics overlaps regularly with the other dental disciplines and plays an important part in comprehensive dentistry. During the last decades a world-wide outgrowing research activity in basic science as well as in clinical research has contributed to a better understanding of the complexity of periodontal problems. The situation of periodontology in Germany must be improved. In order to obtain a better education in dental schools and consequently an optimal treatment of the patients, it is necessary to give to periodontology the same level of education as to other specialties in dentistry. Prophylaxis-oriented dentistry can only be established with the help of dental hygienists.