title: The influence of educational level and oral hygiene behaviours on DMFT index and CPITN index in an adult Italian population: an epidemiological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the influence of educational level and oral hygiene behaviours on the prevalence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease in an adult Italian population attending the Oral Hygiene department of a public Dental Clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dental caries was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The DMFT index (decayed, missing, filled tooth) was used to record the dental caries' experience. The periodontal status was assessed using the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). Questionnaires on educational level and oral hygiene behaviours were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 350 patients were enrolled. The mean DMFT value reported was 4.37 ± 3.06, and higher values were observed for male patients (P < 0.05). Increased CPITN scores and DMFT values were significantly correlated with lower level of education (P < 0.05). Subjects of high educational status showed significantly better oral hygiene habits (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oral health status, in terms of periodontal disease and dental caries, appears correlated with patients' educational level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Pathology, Medicine, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gennai
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karapetsa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Giuca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gabriele
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Graziani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: CPITN; DMFT; caries; periodontitis; survey