Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the screening aspects of newly developed laboratory tests for periodontal disease. Methods: In the pilot phase, 140 adults (64 males and 76 females; age = 48.7±12.9 ys old ys) were subjected for dental examination including CPI, DMFT, stimulated saliva sampling and diagnostic/life-style questionnaire in Iwate prefecture. Free hemoglobin (Hb) and LDH levels in saliva samples were analyzed as the indicators of periodontal disease. In 2005, a total of 1,321 residents received the salivary tests and the data of 844 adults aged 20-79 ys old (235 males and 609 females; age = 53.0±14.3 ys old) were analyzed in this study. Results: From the pilot phase, cut-off points of positive cases (CPI 3+4) were determined for Hb at 4.2 µg/mL or higher, LDH at 282 U/L or higher and questionnaire score at 46 points or higher (maximum 100). The CPI scores were significantly correlated with the Hb (r=0.85) and LDH (r = 0.86) values (p<0.01). The specificity to screen CPI 3+4 was found to be 0.75 for Hb (cut-off = 4.2 µg/mL ) and 0.68 for LDH (cut-off = 282 U/L); the specificities for Hb and LDH were 0.78 and 0.68, respectively. Among the 844 subjects in 2005, 622 adults (74%) were classified in positive cases, and the positive rates were significantly related with age (p<0.0001, Chi-square test). Conclusions: In conclusion, it was suggested that the clinical tests developed in this study could be efficient measures to screen high-risk cases of periodontitis without any examination of dentists.

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