Periodontists are specialists in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of teeth, and the placement of implants. It is one of 12 specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
Crump, who founded BC Perio in Dallas, graduated with honors in 1997 from what was then Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System. He became an AAP member 28 years ago and is a past-president of both the Texas Society of Periodontists and the Southwest Society of Periodontists. He is on the AAP board as District 5 Trustee, a position he’s held for the past five years.
“As secretary/treasurer, I am also chair of the finance committee,” Crump said. “I will be working with the chief financial officer of the academy, setting the yearly budget, in order to execute the strategic plan of the academy, working with the auditors to do our external audit of the academy, and then presenting that budget to the membership for ratification.”
Keeping membership renewals while maintaining the AAP market share is an important consideration for the board and organization, he said. Educating the public, through their general dentist regarding the importance of preventing gum disease, what periodontists often call “a silent enemy,” is among his personal ongoing efforts.
The ADA reports gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support teeth. A major cause of tooth loss, periodontal disease, another name for gum disease, is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
“It’s a sub-acute infection, so patients don’t really have any symptoms besides just the physical symptoms of bleeding gums,” Crump said.
If it progresses, gum inflammation can lead to bone loss and become periodontitis. Periodontitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30 in the U.S., according to ADA. Periodontitis leads to the loss of tissue and bone that support teeth.
Crump joined the A&M Dentistry faculty 25 years ago and teaches on Mondays in the graduate clinic. He earned his master’s in oral biology and certificate of periodontology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry in 2000.
Dr. Deborah Foyle, clinical associate professor, the interim head of periodontics and the director of predoctoral periodontics at A&M Dentistry, said Crump’s national role raises the profile of the college and the department.