Abstract
In 1988, a survey of periodontal status was conducted in 392 individuals of the Naha community, Okinawa at 7, 12, 15, and 35-44 years of age. Four trained examiners assessed the subject's periodontal status according to the CPITN. No signs of periodontal disease were observed in 46% of the 7-year-old children. The percentage of subjects with healthy periodontal tissues decreased with age, and was reduced to 0% in 35-44-year-olds. Gingival bleeding and dental calculus were observed in 23% and 30% of the 7-year-old children, respectively. The percentage of subjects showing bleeding decreased with age while those having calculus increased. The percentage of subjects having pathologic pockets 4 or 5 mm deep was 9% and 40% in the 15-year-olds and 35-44-year-olds, respectively. The percentage of subjects having pathologic pockets 6 mm or deeper was 7% in the 35-44-year-olds. These findings indicated that a higher prevalence of periodontal disease was observed in the Naha community when compared with baseline Japanese data. It is necessary to provide periodontal health care to all generations.
