Interim analysis of validity of periodontitis screening questions in the Australian population

© 2008 American Academy of PeriodontologyBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to provide interim results regarding the validity of six periodontal screening questions in predicting the prevalence of clinically assessed periodontitis among Australian adults.MethodsThe Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health is a cross-sectional survey of Australians aged 15 years or older. Subjects were selected using a multistage probability sampling design. The interview included six questions to screen for periodontal disease and five demographic/health history questions that represented traditional risk indicators for the disease. Oral examinations were conducted by trained, calibrated dentists who measured periodontal recession and probing depth at mesio-buccal, mid-buccal, and disto-buccal sites on all erupted teeth. A computer algorithm determined three categories of periodontal case status: none/mild, moderate, or severe. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were constructed using six screening questions, five traditional risk indicators, and all 11 variables.ResultsThis interim analysis used data from 2,999 subjects who resided in the first five states/territories that completed the survey. Based on clinical findings, 4.0% of subjects were classified with "severe" periodontitis and 25.2% were classified with "moderate" periodontitis. Five screening questions had non-response rates of ConclusionSix screening questions and five conventional risk indicators can be used readily in large population surveys, yielding useful levels of validity in predicting the prevalence of periodontitis.Gary D. Slad