Methods: National prevalence of moderate and severe periodontal diseases among dentate adults aged 20 years and older was estimated from the 1999 – 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Analysis was limited to the mesial probing site on each of 28 teeth, exclusive of 3rd molars; distal site data were not available for 1999 – 2000. Moderate disease was defined as two or more interproximal sites with > 4 mm clinical attachment loss (CAL), or two or more interproximal sites with ³ 5 mm Probing Pocket Depth (PPD). Severe disease was defined as two or more interproximal sites with ³ 6 mm CAL, and one or more interproximal sites with ³ 5 mm PPD. Results:
Prevalence* of Moderate and Severe Periodontal Disease: 1999-2004
|
Age Group |
% Moderate PD (se) |
% Severe PD (se) |
|
20 -34 |
0.82 (0.21) |
0.06 (0.05) |
|
35 – 49 |
4.32 (0.67) |
0.48 (0.24) |
|
50 – 64 |
9.98 (0.96) |
1.68 (0.50) |
|
65 – 74 |
13.11 (1.49) |
1.54 (0.46) |
|
75+ |
18.32 (2.47) |
2.90 (0.84) |
|
Total |
6.42 (0.50) |
0.90 (0.15) |
*Age and sex adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population. Overall, the prevalence of moderate and severe periodontal disease ranged from 0.82% to 18.3% and 0.06% to 2.9% for adults aged 20-34 years, and adults aged 75 years and older, respectively. Moderate disease was most prevalent in males, non-Hispanic blacks, the lowest family poverty ratio group (<100%), and persons with less than high school education. Severe disease was more prevalent among males than females for all age groups (except those aged 75 years and older), persons with family poverty income ratio between 100% – 200%, and those with less than high school education.
Conclusion: Severe and moderate periodontitis is still prevalent in the U.S. Moderate disease, which is most amenable to preventive measures, was most prevalent in non-Hispanic black males, the poorest and least educated.