title: Percentage and severity of periodontal diseases in Turkish adults aged 35+ years, 2009-10.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article presents data on the burden of periodontal diseases in Turkish adults aged 35 years or older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within each region of Turkey, a rural and an urban area or city were selected in 2009-10 using a probability proportional to size method. In the selected towns, local officials who were familiar with their communities assisted in recruiting subjects. Loss of Attachment (LOA) was measured at six sites around each tooth present in the mouth, excluding third molars. Additionally, the Community Periodontal Index was used to assess the severity of periodontal diseases around 12 index teeth. Self-reported data on key risk factors were also collected. Weights were computed using a raking ratio adjustment procedure and used in all analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all examined adults had some loss of periodontal attachment. The proportion of those with more than 3 mm LOA ranged from 43 percent in 35-44 year olds to 91 percent in those aged 65+ years. Among females, older age, low education status, smoking 11-40+ cigarettes a day, being employed, and presence of high number of missing tooth surfaces were associated with LOA > 3 mm. Among males LOA >3 mm was associated with older age, use of alcohol, and unemployment. The CPI data did not yield the same associations with periodontal diseases and risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periodontal diseases in Turkish adults are highly prevalent. A tailored common risk factor health promotion program is recommended to reduce the burden of periodontal infection in Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ilhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Public Health, Kemerburgaz University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Inci
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oktay
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burcu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nur
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdogan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fisekcioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Sungwoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lepkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Amid I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Ismail
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Periodontal disease; Turkey; epidemiology; prevention