Dental Prophylaxis Procedures in Control of Periodontal Disease in Lucknow (Rural) India

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Abstract
Frequent professional scaling and regular tooth brushing are the main public health measures available for preventing and controlling periodontal disease but their frequency and efficacy are still incompletely understood. This investigation was carried out on 1,416 rural children and 189 factory workers in Lucknow area in the age groups 14 +/- 1, 17 +/- 1 and 28 +/- 2 years of age to evaluate the optimum requirement of these measures to the extent they will be economical and usable in the public health programs. The prevalence of gingivitis and periodontal disease in Lucknow children and adult samples was found to vary between 93 to 100%. Periodontal disease (including gingivitis and loss of attachment) and calculus accumulation showed considerable reduction (P less than 0.01) with any type of treatment. Scaling alone will not reduce the plaque formation for which regular tooth brushing is essential. Yearly and half-yearly scaling along with tooth brushing instructions will considerably improve and maintain the oral hygiene thereby reducing the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease, plaque, and calculus accumulations. However, more intensive measures (quarterly prophylaxis) will further improve the periodontal health and reduce calculus accumulation. The apical migration of the epithelial attachment can practically be stopped by rendering scaling half yearly, without any instructions in oral hygiene and elimination of dental plaque.