Self-Reported Periodontal Questions for Community Screening

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of a self-reported periodontal questionnaire, when applied by community health workers (CHW) for the screening of severe periodontitis.
Methods: CHW applied in their respective community of the city of Sobral, Ceara, Brazil, the CDC/AAP Questionnaire. It is consisted of eight questions regarding gums bleeding, overall teeth and gums health, previous periodontal treatment, tooth mobility, bone loss, teeth not looking right, flossing and mouthwash use. The patients were then referred to a full-mouth periodontal clinical examination, and classified into two groups according to the CDC/AAP case definitions. The performance of the questionnaire was analyzed by the chi-square test and logistic regression.
Results: Patients (mean age: 47.8±9.3 years) were allocated in two groups: SEV (severe periodontitis, n=119) or NOMMOD (no periodontitis, mild or moderateperiodontitis, n=125). Significant differences between groups were observed for the means of interproximal clinical attachment loss (CAL), SEV=4,6± 1.7mm x NOMMOD=2.9± 0.6 mm) and probing depth (PD), SEV=3.6± 0.8mm x NOMMOD=2.7± 0.4 mm, and also for the number of teeth with CAL and PD ≥4 mm, ≥5 mm and ≥6 mm, respectively (p <0.001). Three out of the eight questions, regarding gums bleeding (odds rati [OR]=2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3-4.1), overall teeth and gums health (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.1-4.2) and tooth mobility (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.5-4.7) were associated with severe periodontitis (X², p<0.05).
Conclusions: This analysis suggests that self-reported questions can be applied in a community survey by CHW for the screening of severe periodontitis.