title: Periodontal health status and treatment needs of the rural population of India: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontal disease is of public health concern and hence data on its prevalence rate are necessary. We have documented the prevalence pattern of periodontal disease in a rural population of Belgaum district, India, and identify the optimal treatment needs (TNs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried on 1680 dentate adult subjects, examined from 12 villages in Belgaum district, Karnataka, India for prevalence of periodontal status and their TNs (using Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs [CPITN]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increase in CPITN score positively correlated with age. Only 4.3% (13) of subjects in the age-group of 20-29 had a CPITN score of 4 indicative of pockets of 6 mm or more when compared to 26% (91) of subjects in the age-group of 45-60 years. 92% (569) of the subjects in the age-group of 30-44 were having a TN score 2 whereas only 5.3% (33) of subjects were having a TN score 0 in the same age-group. Significantly higher need for treatment was observed in males, smokers and subjects using finger and tooth powder. Surprisingly diet of the subjects did not influence TNs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased prevalence of periodontal diseases and TNs was observed. There is a need for initiating adequate awareness regarding oral hygiene, specifically primary prevention could help in reducing the prevalence of periodontal disease.
authors: Department of Periodontology, SKSS Dental College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India.
authors: Tegbir Singh
authors: TS
authors: Sekhon
authors: Department of Physiology, MM University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors: Simran
authors: S
authors: Grewal
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Rajpura, Punjab, India.
authors: Ramandeep Singh
authors: RS
authors: Gambhir
keywords: Community periodontal Index for treatment Needs index; oral hygiene; periodontal health; rural; treatment needs