Abstract
The high efficiency in discriminating between periodontally sound and affected subjects with the aid of our self-administered questionnaire (self-check of periodontal disease) was confirmed in a previous report (J. Dent. Hlth., 41 : 667, 1991). This study examines the association between selfcheck scores of lower anterior gingival health and periodontal conditions assessed uisng the CPITN. A total of 231 subjects aged 19-70 yr was given the questionnaire to check their gingival conditions in accordance with the colour-illustrated figures of health and affected gingiva. Statistically significant association (p<0.05, p<0.01) was found between the self-check scores of interdental papilla, marginal and attached gingiva and subgroups by CPITN score. Subjects with low counts of self-check score (less than 1.8 : quivalent to 25 %-ile) were designated as a periodontally sound group, and those with high scores over 2.5 (equivalent to 75 %-ile) as a periodontally affected group. These figures are statistically highly significant (p<0.01). The results of the present study suggest that the self-check of lower anterior gingiva was useful in enhancing awareness of periodontal disease in the population.
