Periodontal Status of Adolescents in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the periodontal status, treatment needs and dental visit practice of adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: 600 subjects were selected by stratified random sampling from 6 schools, 3 secondary and 3 primary schools in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos state, Nigeria. About one hundred subjects in each age category of 11 to 16 years were selected. A questionnaire was designed seeking biographic data such as age, sex, occupation of parent, and dental visit attendance and a section for recording periodontal clinical examination using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was included. The periodontal status, treatment needs and dental visit practices of adolescents were determined. Results: Only 3% were found to be healthy periodontally. 83% of the subjects presented predominately with the worst condition recorded, code 2 (i.e. calculus), which is a reversible condition. A mean of 0.6 healthy sextants, 2.3 bleeding sextants and 3.1 calculus-accumulated sextants was calculated. A statistical difference in periodontal status was noted with age, the younger adolescents (11-13 years) presenting predominately with bleeding sextants when compared to the older adolescents (14-16 years) who presented more calculus-accumulated sextants. Nearly all subjects required periodontal treatment. 83% needed professional prophylaxis (TN2). Conclusion: There is a need for a school oral health education programme within the LGA with a focus on periodontal disease prevention and provision of oral prophylaxis by dental surgeons, therapists and volunteer dental students. Keywords: CPITN, Dental visits, 11–16 year-olds, Adolescents Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 88-9