| 0463 Periodontal Disease in Haitian Teenagers | ||
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S.L. RUSSELL1, G. JEAN-CHARLES2, B. GEBRIAN3, R.V. KATZ1, and W. PSOTER2, 1New York University, College of Dentistry, USA, 2New York University, USA, 3Haitian Health Foundation, Jeremie, Haiti Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine levels of periodontal disease in rural Haitian teenagers. This study was part of a larger investigation that is seeking to determine whether early childhood protein-energy malnutrition (ECPEM) is related to oral diseases and conditions. Methods: Participants from three road-assessable villages in the rural Jeremie region of Haiti were selected from a list of children, maintained by the Haitian Health Foundation, on whom ECPEM data was collected during 1982-91. All children available on the exam day participated and were examined. This study reports findings on a group of 120 Haitians aged 13-19. A trained examiner performed all examinations with a pressure-sensitive periodontal probe (Vivadent, Lichtenstein), using the World Health Organization (WHO) Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Results: The mean age of the participants was 14.8 years (sd = 1.7 years) and 55% (n= 66) of the sample was male. Over half of the children examined (56%, n=67) exhibited a CPI score of 3 or greater, indicating deepened pocketing (greater than 3.5 mm). Only 5 participants (4.2%) had a CPI score of 0, indicating healthy periodontal tissues. Neither age nor sex was related to higher CPI scores (CPI 3 or 4). Village of residence was significantly related to high CPI score; in one village, 90.9% of all children examined (20/22) exhibited a CPI score of 3 or greater (Exact Chi-sq., p<=0.001). Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first survey of periodontal disease in rural Haitian children; our results indicate that these children exhibit high levels of periodontal disease, as indicated by a CPI score of 3 or greater. Future studies will examine the relationship of other factors, including ECPEM, social class, subgingival microflora, community differences differences and periodontitis in these children. Supported by NIDCR grant: R01 DE14708 | ||
| Seq #68 - Prevalence of Oral Conditions / Dental Caries 2:00 PM-3:00 PM, Thursday, 9 March 2006 Dolphin Hotel Pacific Hall | ||
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