Prevalence and Incidence of Periodontal Disease in Male High School Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the various methods used to determine the existence of periodontal disease and (subsequently gingivitis) in Japanese subjects in their middle teens.
This survey was conducted on 634 male high school students (15 to 18 years old) at Kawasaki City, Kanagawa-ken, Japan. Four (4) basic examination procedures were used ; 1. Plaque Index by Sillness and Löe 2. Salivary Blood Test 3. PMA Index by Massller and Schour 4. Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs C.P.I.T.N.
The results were as follows
(1) Almost 20% of the group gave a positive indication to the Salivary occult blood test. (2) Using the PMA Index almost all students were judged to have “gingivitis”. (3) Using the C.P.I.T.N. these high school students indicated an incidence rate of periodontal disease equal to 97.5%. (4) Just under 70% of the subjects required professional care. This rate increased with the subject's age. (5) This study showed the C.P.I.T.N. to be a useful tool for determining the prevalence of, and a need for determining the prevalence of, and a need for professional treatment of, Periodontal disease.