The tissue destruction characteristic of periodontal diseases is a result of an imbalance between the host inflammatory process and specific pathogenic bacteria residing in the periodontal crevicular space. The protective nature of the host response enables the majority of the population to defend the bacterial insult that constantly threatens the health of the supporting tissues of the dentition. One of the major players on this inflammatory and immunologic battleground is the polymorphonuclearleukocyte (PMN) or neutrophil. A general knowledge of these syndromes is of benefit in understanding the role the neutrophil holds in the initiation and progression of periodontitis and in coordinating the multidisciplinary care that is often required. Aim of this article is to review those syndromes that have a link between neutrophil dysfunction and periodontitis.