The American Academy of Periodontology has developed the following parameter on periodontitis associated with systemic conditions. Patients affected by periodontal disease with concomitant systemic factors should be informed about the significance of the systemic condition(s) to the periodontal disease process. Patients should also be informed of the periodontal disease process, therapeutic alternatives, potential complications, expected results, and their responsibilities in treatment. Consequences of no periodontal treatment should be explained. Failure to treat periodontitis appropriately can result in progressive loss of periodontal supporting tissues, an adverse change in prognosis, tooth loss, and compromise of the dentition. Given this information, patients should then be able to make informed decisions regarding their periodontal therapy.