title: Prevalence of periodontal diseases in North Herzegovina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate effects of smoking on periodontal tissue and the occurrence of periodontal disease in the population of North Herzegovina.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 800 persons of 20-49 years of age (400 smokers and 400 non-smokers), inhabitants of Prozor-Rama Municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Periodontal condition assessment was made by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs index (CPITN) at representative teeth: 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 36, 37, 31, 46, and 47.Statistically significant difference between non-smokers and smokers was tested by χ2 test with the level of significance set at p=0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of healthy periodontal tissues was lower in smokers than in non-smokers, 25 (6.3%)and 36 (9%), respectively. The prevalence of gingival bleeding, calculus, shallow and deep periodontal pockets was higher in smokers than in non-smokers, although it was not significant. There was a risk between occurrence of deep periodontal pockets and smoking (RR=2). A total of 64 (8%)participants neededonly instructions on proper oral hygiene, 654 (81.8%) prophylaxis and initial treatment,while 21 (2.6%) needed complex periodontal treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obtained results indicate a high need of preventive measures and the improvement of oral health in the population of North Herzegovina.
authors.affiliation: 1Health Care Center Mostar,Bosnia and Herzegovina,2Faculty of DentistryUniversity of Zagreb, Croatia, 3Schoolof Economics, University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina,4Health Care Center Prozor-Rama, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5Schoolof Medicine, University of Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Ružica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zovko
authors.forename: Domagoj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glavina
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mabić
authors.forename: Stipo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cvitanović
authors.forename: Zdenko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Šarac
authors.forename: Ante
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ivanković
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology