Prevalence and Risk Indicators for Periodontal Attachment Loss in a Population of Older Community‐Dwelling Blacks and Whites

Abstract

The extent and severity of periodontal attachment loss are described for a random sample of 690 dentate community-dwelling adults, aged 65 or over, residing in five counties in North Carolina. In addition, risk indicators for serious levels of loss of attachment and pocket depth in this population are presented. Pocket depths and recession were measured on all teeth by trained examines during household visits. Blacks had an average of 78% of their sites with attachment loss and the average level of loss in those sites was approximately 4 mm, as compared to 65% and 3.1 min for whites. Because the extent and severity scores in this population were much higher than in younger groups, a serious condition in this group was defined as having 4+ sites of loss of attachment of 5+ mm with one or more of those sites having a pocket of 4+ mm. Bivariate analyses identified a large number of explanatory variables that were associated with increased likelihood of having the more serious periodontal condition. The logistic regression model for blacks includes the following important explanatory variables and associated odds ratios: use to tobacco (2.9), colony counts of B. gingivalis greater than 2% (2.4) and B. intermedius greater than 2% (1.9), last visit to the dentist greater than 3 years (2.3), and gums bleeding in the last 2 weeks (3.9). The model for whites indicated that tobacco use (6.2), presence of B. gingivalis (2.4) and the combined variable of having not been to the dentist in the last 3 years and having a high BANA score (16.8) were important explanatory variables.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Who is at risk? Periodontal disease risk analysis made accessible for the general dental practitioner

“…Periodontitis progresses discontinuously throughout life and the prevalence in cross-sectional studies in advanced age has more to do with a lifetime of AL than any increased incidence in the elderly. 5,15,16 Nonetheless, in cross section, it is clear that older age groups (65+ years) have increased AL, multivariate studies having demonstrated ORs for AL as high as 9.01 (95% CI: 5.86 13.89), constituting the most signifi cant risk indicator in periodontal disease. 17 It is recognised as a product of disease expe rience throughout life rather than some thing intrinsic with being older.…”

“…8,17 All factors show a positive cor relation, with periodontal disease preva lence attributed to a 'differential access to resources and opportunities that may influence preventive behaviours', with OR as high as 3.10 (95% CI: 1.64-6.03), indi cating a statistically signifi cant divide between those that have attended some 3rd level education and those who have not. 15,21 Other multivariate clinical anal yses have put the OR even higher, though it is perhaps difficult to completely sepa rate SES from other, more physiological variables. 22 Socioeconomic status may represent a measure of personal drive and motivation, and may impact on the quality of oral hygiene habits, and as such represents a valid risk indicator.…”

Link between Periodontal Disease and Coronary Artery Disease: Bangladesh Perspective

“…[77][78][79][80][81] In Bangladesh, a large number of the people still live in low socioeconomic condition; the country's gross national income per capita was only USD 2,030,3.6% of GDP was for total health expenditure, and the per capita health expenditure was only USD 68 in 2012. 82 This low-income population in general is more prone to malnutrition and infection, and becomes victim to poor oral hygiene, including PD.…”

Oral Health Care in Children – A Preventive Perspective

“…that they are of multifactorial etiology (Kleinbaum et al 1982). In a relatively large number of cross-sectional studies, multiple risk putative risk factors for periodontal disease have been examined (Beck et al 1990, Grossi et al 1994, Horning et al 1992, Ismali & Szpunar 1990). …”