Abstract
Clinical evaluation of periodontal conditions was performed with 80 adults (50 patients with periodontal disease and 30 students in the School of Dentistry, aged 11 to 60). The assessment was conducted using P-M-A index, pocket depth, debris index, Supra-and subgingival calculus indices and age.
Significant positive correlations among the indices were observed except between the debris index and the pocket depth, the debris index and the supragingival calculus index, the debris index and the age, and between the P-M-A index and the age.
To eliminate an associated factor, a first order partial correlation coefficient was calculated. Partial correlations of the pocket depth with the P-M-A index, the subgingival calculus index and the age were significantly positive, respectively. Also, positive partial correlation was obtained between the supragingival calculus index and the subgingival calculus index, the age and the supragingival calculus index. It was found that several positive correlations between the clinical indices disappeared by calculation when the two indices, the pocket depth and the subgingival calculus index, were held fixed respectively.
For evaluation of periodontal disease in epidemiological study, importance of measuring pocket depth and subgingival calculus was discussed.
