Prevalence of periodontal conditions among public-funded dental patients in Australia

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: The aims of this study were to describe periodontal health status by gender, type of care, geographic location and age and to investigate associations of these factors with tooth loss. Methods: In 1995-96, state and territory dental services surveyed a random sample of 6,109 public-funded patients. Dentists recorded oral health status at the initial visit of a course of care, using written instructions but without formal calibration. Periodontal status was assesed using the community periodontal index of treatment needs. Results: Prevalence of periodontal conditions among dentate patients was higher among older, male, emergency and urban patients (X2; p<0.05). Age-specific edentulism was lower for male, emergency and urban patients (X2; p<0.05). Numbers of missing teeth were lower for younger, non-emergency and urban patients (Anova; p<0.05). Prevalence of periodontal pockets 6mm or more was assocated with gender, type of care, geographic location, age and number of missing teeth (logistic regression; p