Periodontal health status of the Sandy Bay First Nation in Manitoba, Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution and determinants of periodontal health in adult members of the Sandy Bay First Nation in Manitoba, Canada.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study based on face-to-face interviews and oral examinations.


METHODS
Face-to-face interviews and oral examinations were performed on a convenience sample of 107 individuals to assess Debris Index, Calculus Index, Gingival Index and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to find variables significantly associated with 2 outcome variables: dichotomous mean CAL (< or = 2.5mm and > 2.5mm) and dichotomous severe periodontitis. Variables found to be significantly associated with either of the outcome variables were entered into logistic regression analysis to look for significant independent effects (P < 0.05).


RESULTS
The mean age for the sample was 36.1 (SD 11.6). The mean CAL for the group was 1.44 mm (SD 1.14), with age-specific CAL (SD) values of 1.08 (0.69), 1.18 (0.97), 2.05 (1.57) and 2.10 (0.95) for subjects aged 18-27, 28-37, 38-47 and 48 years or above, respectively. Of the individuals studied, 42.6% suffered from moderate periodontitis, whereas 22.4% suffered from either localized or generalized severe periodontitis. Of the variables tested, tooth brushing frequency (p < 0.05), flossing (p = 0.001), Calculus Index (p = 0.001), Gingival Index (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.05), diabetes (p < 0.05) and DMFS (p < 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with mean CAL, whereas, sex (p < 0.05), tooth brushing frequency (p < 0.05), Calculus Index (p < 0.005), age (p < 0.005) and DMFS (p < 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with severe periodontitis. Age, tooth brushing frequency and flossing were found to have significant independent effects on mean CAL and severe periodontitis using logistic regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the high prevalence of periodontitis in this population, expanded availability of community-based dental services is urgently needed.
Brothwell
Doug
D
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Ghiabi
Edmond
E