Prevalence of periodontal conditions among public-funded dental patients in Australia.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to describe periodontal health status by gender, type of care, geographic location and age and to investigate associations of these factors with tooth loss.


METHODS
In 1995-96, state and territory dental services surveyed a random sample of 6,109 public-funded patients. Dentists recorded oral health status at the initial visit of a course of care, using written instructions but without formal calibration. Periodontal status was assessed using the community periodontal index of treatment needs.


RESULTS
Prevalence of periodontal conditions among dentate patients was higher among older, male, emergency and urban patients (chi2; p<0.05). Age-specific edentulism was lower for male, emergency and urban patients (chi2; p<0.05). Numbers of missing teeth were lower for younger, non-emergency and urban patients (Anova; p<0.05). Prevalence of periodontal pockets 6mm or more was associated with gender, type of care, geographic location, age and number of missing teeth (logistic regression; p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of severe periodontal conditions was lower in 1995-96 compared with public-funded patients in 1984 and 1992-93, but prevalence of periodontal health remained lower than the general population in 1987-88. A survivor effect may result in lower recording of severe periodontal conditions among subgroups with higher tooth loss.
Brennan
D S
DS
AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit, Adelaide University, South Australia.
Spencer
A J
AJ
Slade
G D
GD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011632:Public Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data