IV. German Oral Health Study (DMS IV) – Periodontal Results

Objectives: Prevalence of periodontal disease in a population-representative cross-sectional study.

Methods: 90 sample points, random samples, non-response analyses. Three calibrated investigators evaluated in 4631 subjects: Plaque Index (PI), Papilla Bleeding Index (PBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), attachment loss (AL), CPI, ESI.

Results: - Children: PI: 1.6% plaque free dentitions, 28.5% degree 1, 46% degree 2, 23.8% degree 3. PBI: 4% no inflammation, 70.7% degrees 1+2, 25.3% degrees 3+4. CPI: 0.8% degree 0, 70% degree 1, 29.2% degree 2.

Adolescents: PI: 1.5% plaque free dentitions, 35.3% degree 1, 42.3% degree 2, 20.8% degree 3. PBI: 7.1% no inflammation, 67.7% degrees 1+2, 25.3% degrees 3+4. CPI: 1.5% degree 0, 51.7% degree 1, 33.4% degree 2, 12.6 % degree 3, 0.8 % degree 4.

Adults: PI: 2% plaque free dentitions, 35.6% degree 1, 38.9% degree 2, 23.6% degree 3. PBI: 7.4% no inflammation, 58.5% degrees 1+2, 34.1 % degrees 3+4. CPI: 0.5% degree 0, 11.8% degree 1, 14.4% degree 2, 52.7% degree 3, 20.5% degree 4. AL: 73.6% of adults with AL „d4 mm, 31.1% with AL „d6 mm at least in one site. ESI: 42.4 % with AL>2mm; 3.9 mm mean AL.

Seniors: PI: 1.3% plaque free dentitions, 20.4 % degree 1, 39.9 % degree 2, 38.5% degree 3. PBI: 6.7% no inflammation, 50.6 % degrees 1+2, 42.8% degrees 3+4. CPI: 1.4% degree 0, 4% degree 1, 6.8% degree 2, 48% degree 3, 39.8% degree 4. AL: 94.2% of seniors with AL „d4 mm, 67.1% with AL „d6 mm, 47% with AL „d7 mm at least in one site. ESI: 72.9 % with AL>2mm; 4.7 mm mean AL. Compared to the 1997 survey a reduction of missing teeth and an increase of periodontitis prevalence could be observed in adults and seniors.

Conclusion: Retention of more teeth might result in slight increase of periodontitis.