 We present a randomized interventional small exploratory study to assess study feasibility and to determine whether the treatment of periodontal disease in maintenance dialysis patients reduces markers of inflammation and improves markers of nutrition. The existent data support an intervention trial, rather than additional observational studies. There are a multitude of epidemiological studies, including our studies, which confirm an association of periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease DeStefano, Anda et al. 1993; Mattila, Valtonen et al. 1995; Beck, Garcia et al. 1996; Joshipura, Rimm et al. 1996; Morrison, Ellison et al. 1999; Hujoel, Drangsholt et al. 2000; Wu, Trevisan et al. 2000; Howell, Ridker et al. 2001; Hujoel, Drangsholt et al. 2001; Hung, Willett et al. 2003; Joshipura, Hung et al. 2003; Tuominen, Reunanen et al. 2003; Hung, Joshipura et al. 2004; Pussinen, Alfthan et al. 2004; Pussinen, Nyyssonen et al. 2005; Saremi, Nelson et al. 2005. Thus, the time is right for conducting a hypothesis-driven intervention trial. 