title: Assessment of periodontal status and treatment needs of a disabled population using the CPITN.
abstract: The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was used to assess the periodontal status of 213 handicapped persons attending seven institutions in Johannesburg. Fewer than 2% had healthy mouths, 8% had bleeding only, followed by calculus (46%), shallow pockets (40%) and deep pockets (4%). The mean number of sextants with bleeding or higher score was 5.9. Oral hygiene instruction was indicated for 98% and prophylaxis for 90% of the participants. The CPITN was easily used in the disabled population but may overestimate treatment need in view of the current understanding that periodontal disease does not automatically progress from a low CPITN level to the next. A more appropriate measure of treatment need in handicapped persons is required.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council/University of the Witwatersrand Dental Research Institute, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bamjee
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Chikte
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Cleaton-Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013019:South Africa