Objective: To identify the periodontal status variables associated with tooth loss in a sample of adults with a highly homogeneous population in terms of education level, socio-economic status, and lifestyles. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 161 policemen in Campeche, Mexico. Periodontal clinical examinations were conducted by one examiner using the Florida Probe System™ in a dental chair to measure dental plaque, calculus, pocket depth, attachment loss, gingival recession, suppuration, and bleeding on probing (BOP). We examined six sites around all teeth present in the mouth (with a maximum of 168 sites, excluding third molars). A questionnaire was used to record behavioral, socio-demographic, and socio-economic variables. The analyses were carried out with STATA 8.2™ using bivariate negative binomial regression model. Results: Mean age was 38.36±10.99 (upper and lower limits, 20-78). The mean number of teeth and sites examined by person were 24.45±4.63 and 146.72±27.80, respectively – a total of 23,622 sites were available for analysis. Tooth loss prevalence was 73.3%; 571 teeth were missing, with mean number of missing teeth being 3.55±4.63. Within-subjects mean tooth loss was 4.84±4.80. The mean expected tooth loss increased by 82.9%, 70.6%, 41.8%, 156.4%, 86.9%, and 3.6%, with >20% of sites with dental plaque, >20% of sites with gingivitis, >5% of sites with pocket depth >4 mm, >5% of sites with gingival recession, >70% of sites with attachment loss >2mm, and for each year of age, respectively. Conclusions: Missing teeth were common. Diverse variables of the periodontal status were associated with tooth loss in this adult population.

Back to the Behavioral Sciences/Health Services Research Program
Back to the ADEA/AADR/CADR Meeting & Exhibition (March 8-11, 2006)

Top Level Search