Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00279:reg:7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00279
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 7
Character Range: 1660–3120

7               Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates
(1)          This Statement of Principles is about periodontal abscess and death from periodontal abscess.
Meaning of periodontal abscess
(2)          For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, periodontal abscess:
(a)          means a localised collection of pus within the periodontal tissue, adjacent to a periodontal pocket, that is associated with destruction of the bony and ligamentous tissues supporting the teeth; and
(b)          excludes:
(i)            combined periodontic-endodontic lesions;
(ii)         gingival abscess;
(iii)       periapical abscess;
(iv)        periapical periodontitis; and
(v)          pericoronal abscess.
            Note 1: The clinical manifestations of a periodontal abscess include gum pain, gum tenderness, tooth sensitivity and tooth mobility. An ovoid elevation in the gum along the lateral aspect of a tooth root is typical. Patients can be asymptomatic.
            Note 2: Extra-oral symptoms are uncommon, but can include facial swelling, fever, malaise and swelling of regional lymph nodes.
Death from periodontal abscess
(3)          For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, periodontal abscess, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's periodontal abscess.
Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.