Periodontal Risk Spider-web for Periodontal Assessment in Hong Kong Chinese

Objectives:  This preliminary study aimed to build up a practical periodontal risk assessment system in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 99 Chinese dental hospital attendees (39 males and 60 females) aged 18 to 75 years (mean age: 45.4±14.0 years) participated in this study. They were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Full-mouth periodontal examination was then performed. A personal Periodontal Risk Spider-web (PRS) was formulated including 6 variables: i) cigarette smoking; ii) Diabetes Mellitus; iii) Body Mass Index (BMI); iv) halitosis; v) oral hygiene habits; and vi) dental visit patterns. Three periodontal risk categories were defined following PRS total score calculation: low risk (0-3), moderate risk (4-5) and high risk (>5). The association of each variable (i to vi) and the PRS total score with the severity of periodontal destruction was determined and relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated. Results: Mean % of sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥6mm in the subjects with smoking habit, Diabetes Mellitus or self-reported halitosis was significantly greater than in those who were free of these conditions (p<0.05). Smokers with halitosis showed 3-fold greater % of sites with PPD≥6mm than the non-smokers without halitosis (p<0.05). Significantly greater % of sites with PPD≥6mm was found in the high risk subjects (15.0±3.9), as compared with the moderate risk subjects (6.9±1.4, p<0.02) and the low risk subjects (4.3±1.1, p<0.01). The subjects in the high risk group were significantly more likely (RR = 1.36; OR = 2.74) to exhibit advanced periodontitis than those in the low risk group. Conclusion: This study suggests that the proposed personal Periodontal Risk Spider-web may be promising for periodontal risk assessment in clinical practice for Hong Kong Chinese adults. Supported by Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC HKU 7518/05M) & The University of Hong Kong (CRCG 2005-06).