title: Risk indicators for tooth loss due to periodontal disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several risk indicators for periodontal disease severity have been identified. The association of these factors with tooth loss for periodontal reasons was investigated in this cross-sectional comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All extractions performed in 21 general dental practice clinics (25% of such clinics in Kuwait) over a 30-day period were recorded. Documented information included patient age and gender, medical history findings, dental maintenance history, toothbrushing frequency, types and numbers of extracted teeth, and the reason for the extraction. Reasons were divided into periodontal disease versus other reasons in univariate and binary logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,775 patients had 3,694 teeth extracted. More teeth per patient were lost due to periodontal disease than for other reasons (2.8 +/- 0.2 versus 1.8 +/- 0.1; P <0.001). Factors significantly associated with tooth loss due to periodontal reasons in logistic regression analysis were age >35 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.79 to 4.26), male gender (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.73), never having periodontal maintenance (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.78), never using a toothbrush (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.49 to 2.20), current or past smoking (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.28 to 1.91), anterior tooth type (OR 3.23; 95% CI 2.57 to 4.05), and the presence of either of the following medical conditions: diabetes mellitus (OR 2.64; 95% CI 2.19 to 3.18), hypertension (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.41 to 2.13), or rheumatoid arthritis (OR 4.19; 95% CI 2.17 to 8.11).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tooth loss due to periodontal disease is associated with the risk indicators of age, male gender, smoking, lack of professional maintenance, inadequate oral hygiene, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and anterior tooth type.
authors.affiliation: Specialized Center for the Advancement of Dental Services, Ministry of Health, Jahra, Kuwait. khalsham@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Khalaf F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Al-Shammari
authors.forename: Areej K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Al-Khabbaz
authors.forename: Jassem M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Al-Ansari
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neiva
authors.forename: Hom-Lay
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000145:classification; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D014099:Toothbrushing