title: The prevalence of periodontal diseases among adult population in Georgia.
abstract: The present research was conducted to estimate the prevalence of periodontal diseases in the adult population of Georgia, to study the peculiarity of their distribution within population in different regions of the country. The survey was carried out based on cluster- stratified method derived by WHO. 2370 adults including 1289 women and 1081 men distributed in 4 age groups: I - 20-34, II - 35-44, III - 45-64, IV - 65+ the residents of the city, town and village in 9 regions of Georgia and the capital Tbilisi were examined. The assessment of periodontal status and oral hygiene was based on WHO-'s recommendation. (WHO 1997 'Oral Health Assessment Form') Examination was done under good natural light using a mouth mirror and a periodontal index (CPI) probe for measurements of periodontal pockets depth. Questionnaires comprised questions for revealing the following risk factors: social status and family income, existence of common diseases, people'S attitude towards oral hygiene(tooth brushing, using dental floss, mouth rinsing) acceptability of dental service, sugar consumption rate, tobacco use, consumption of dairy products. The reliable statistical data received from the study relieved high prevalence of periodontal diseases in all regions: in Achara - 71.7, Mtskheta-Mtianeti - 70.8%, Imereti - 64.9%, Qvemo Qartli - 61.6%, Tbilisi - 61.8% and Shida Qartli - 60.5%, Guria - 55.9%, Samtskhe-Javakheti - 56.0%, Kakheti - 59.1%, Samegrelo - 55.2%. Despite the variability of risk factors high prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases in regions of Georgia was related to more extent to the low educational medical background, less dental acceptability due to not very positive attitude towards dental service and oral hygiene skills though financial problems also played substantial role. The study confirmed that periodontal diseases represent an actual problem in Georgia and need caring out serious preventive measures to enhance peoples' referral to dental service and improve medical educational background of the population.
authors.affiliation: I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tsitaishvili
authors.affiliation: I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Margvelashvili
authors.affiliation: I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalandadze
authors.affiliation: I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Margvelashvili
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003731:Dental Caries; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic); D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires