Abstract
The prevalence of periodontal disease in handicapped persons in Nagasaki Prefecture was investigated with the purpose of establishing a system for dental care and prevention and treatment of periodontal disease for such group of persons.
The subjects were 144 handicapped persons (resident at home or in an institute), aged 17 to 68 years (average: 31.4 yrs). Clinical parameters examined were plaque index (PII), gingival index (GI), calculus index (CI) and probing pocket depth (PPD) at mesio-buccal sites at six representive teeth (6 14 41 6)
The results were as follows:
1. Approximately 99% of the subjects had periodontal disease (58% had periodontitis and 41% had gingivitis). Especially in young adults, the prevalence of periodontitis was high (group of 17.19 year olds: 22%; group of 20.29 year olds: 43%).
2. The mean values of PPD, GI, P1I, CI were higher than in healthy persons. In terms of prevalence of periodontitis and periodontal conditions, there were significant differences between the higher IQ (intelligence quotient) group (IQ. 36) and the lower IQ group (IQ35), in both persons resident at home or an institute.
3. Approximately 76% of subjects had more than one deep periodontal pocket (PPD. +4mm).
4. Approximately 31% of subjects administered antiepileptics had gingival hyperplasia, and the majority of those subjects were found to have misalignment of the teeth and malocclusion.
