Periodontal disease detection in primary and mixed dentitions.
OBJECTIVE
This was to compare the periodontal status of children with primary and mixed dentition at the time of their first consultation.


METHODS
Children (200), aged 0-12 years (156 with mixed and 44 with primary dentition), were examined by assessing their simplified plaque index (PI) and simplified periodontal record (PSR). Statistical analysis (Chi-square test) was performed with appropriate software to find any significant associations between sex, type of dentition and PI with the PSR codes (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4).


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference with regard to gender (p = 0.82). Generalised PI was associated more significantly with mixed dentition (p = 0.025 and higher PSR scores (p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between sex and PSR codes (p = 0.82).


CONCLUSIONS
Children presenting with a mixed dentition had worse PI values and PSR scores. It is important to perform periodontal examination in children to diagnose and prevent future periodontal disease and maintain their dentition as well as to identify any associated systemic conditions.
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av Sen Salgado Filho, 1797, Lagoa Nova, Natal, RN, CEP: 59056-000, Brazil.
C M Guimarães
CM
Nobre
Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Periodontics, Av. Sen. Salgado Filho, 1787, Lagoa Nova, Natal, RN, 59056-000, Brazil.
A N
AN
Fernandes-Costa
Department of Dentistry, University Center of Maceió, Cônego Machado St., 918, Farol, Maceió, Alagoas, 57051-160, Brazil.
M S
MS
de Melo Soares
Department of Dentistry, University Center of Maceió, Cônego Machado St., 918, Farol, Maceió, Alagoas, 57051-160, Brazil.
D M Carvalho
DM
Pugliesi
Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Periodontics, Av. Sen. Salgado Filho, 1787, Lagoa Nova, Natal, RN, 59056-000, Brazil. bcgurgel@yahoo.com.br.
B C
BC
de Vasconcelos Gurgel
D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
Mixed dentition; Periodontal diseases; Periodontal index; Primary dentition