Periodontal conditions in a randomly selected population in Switzerland

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the periodontal conditions of a randomly selected population in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. From a total of 350 selected persons, 206 (59%) attended the examinations. The Plaque Index (P1I), Gingival Index (GI) and Retention Index (RI), the width of teh keratinized gingiva, pocket probing depth (PD) and loss of probing attachment (LA) were recorded on four surfaces per tooth in the entire dentition of the subjects. The statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). A total of 4253 teeth was scored. On average the patients had 20.7 teeth. The mean P1I of this population was 1.16, the mean GI was 1.34 and the mean RI was 0.81. All three indices were higher in older age groups. 72% of all measuremnts for pocket probing depths were less than or equal to 3 mm, 26% were between 4 and 6 mm, and only 2% were more than 6 mm. 76% of all sites had lost less than or equal to 3 mm of probing attachment, 21% of the sites had lost between 4 and 6 mm and only 3% had lost more than 6 mm. There was no statistically significant differences either between females and males or between the rural and the urban populations. These results indicate that only a relatively small percentage of the sample representative for the respective area in Switerzland suffered from advanced periodontitis, while the great majority may be treated by rather conservative approaches to periodontal therapy.